Canada Revenue Agency scam: Message from 22 Division, Toronto Police Service

Scams and scamming are topics of perennial interest.

A Nov. 20, 2015 message from 22 Division reads:

Public Safety Alert,
Canada Revenue Agency scam

Broadcast time: 12:44
Friday, November 20, 2015

22 Division
416-808-2200
The Toronto Police Service would like to alert the public to a Canada Revenue Agency scam that is currently targeting Toronto residents.

It is reported that:

– residents are being contacted, by phone, by a person identifying themselves as an agent of the CRA

– they are told that they owe the CRA a quantity of money and, because of this, there is currently a warrant out for their arrest

– they are told if they don’t pay the money, the RCMP will arrest them

– they are further told to go to the nearest Post Office and to send the money to a Connecticut address using MoneyGram

The Toronto Police Service would like to remind the public that the CRA does not contact people by telephone and the CRA never arrests anyone for outstanding balances owed. This is a fraudulent scam perpetrated by criminals.

Although this scam has been going on for years, during the past week the Toronto Police Service has been made aware of dozens of complaints.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca

Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Detective Steve Laramy, 22 Division