As tax season continues, Belleville Police are warning you to be aware of ongoing attempts by fraudsters, to pose as representatives of the Canada Revenue Agency.
Police got a report from a resident yesterday, who received an email from what appeared to be the CRA, telling them they were eligible for a $600 tax refund and to follow a link in that email within 24 hours.
That link led to a page asking for their social insurance number, birthday, banking info and address and it was only after clicking send, that the complainant realized it was a scam.
They were able to contact their bank to find out how to recover their stolen information and protect themselves in the future.
Police say there a few things the CRA will never do, including:
•send email with a link and ask you to divulge personal or financial information.
•ask for personal information of any kind by email or text message.
•request payments by prepaid credit cards.
•give taxpayer information to another person, unless formal authorization is provided by the taxpayer.
•leave personal information on an answering machine.
And when in doubt about an email from the CRA you should ask yourself the following:
•Did I sign up to receive online mail through My Account, My Business Account, or Represent a Client?
•Did I provide my email address on my income tax and benefit return to receive mail online?
•Am I expecting more money from the CRA?
•Does this sound too good to be true?
•Is the requester asking for information I would not provide in my tax return?
•Is the requester asking for information I know the CRA already has on file for me?
