The Port Alberni RCMP has received dozens of calls from local residents who have been targets of a well known fraud scam.
Callers are identifying themselves as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees and are advising that you owe a debt. The caller claims you owe CRA money and if immediate payment is not received they will seize your assets and they will come and arrest you. These calls often come from 1-844-855-8501. These are fictitious debts and should never be paid.
Port Alberni residents need to know this is a scam, the RCMP said.
“Canada Revenue Agency does not contact residents this way, they do not demand money or threaten you.”
If you receive such a call, the RCMP advises people to:
• Protect your personal information.
• Never disclose your personal information over the phone or online.
• Do not send money, by any means, to these people
• Tell the caller you will be contacting your local police and hang up the phone.
Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or on their website.