CRA warns of scams in Cornwall

Handout from Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
CRA warns of scams in Cornwall
The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce Office (Nick Seebruch/ Seaway News).

CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has received a bulletin from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The bulletin warns of a potential tax scam and area consumers may be targeted.

“Consumers could receive an e-mail, telephone call or, a text message from someone claiming to be from the CRA,” reports Executive Manager, Lezlie Strasser. “The caller may ask for personal information such as a Social Insurance Number, passport number, bank account and credit card information. The CRA does not contact consumers in this manner and it is a scam.”

Strasser adds that consumers contacted by phone may be threatened. “This is not how CRA agents carry out their duties and consumers should not be intimidated.”

The Chamber wants to inform area consumers that the CRA will never do any of the following:

 

·         Send an e-mail requesting personal or financial information

·         Ask for such information by text message

·         Ask consumers to pay amounts owing by prepaid credit or gift cards

·         Threaten you

 

The Chamber advises consumers that if they are contacted by someone claiming to be from the CRA, hang up and contact the CRA office at 1-800-959-8281. Advise the agent that you had been contacted and verify that your tax records are in order.

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