The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Economic Crime Unit is advising the public to beware of an email and phone scam where people pose as representatives of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The RNC says to be aware of scams asking for information such as credit card, bank account, and passport numbers.
They say the CRA would not ask for this information via e-mail.
A scam may ask for information directly, or refer the recipient to a website resembling the CRA’s, where the person is asked to verify information.
The RNC says taxpayers should not click on links included in these emails.
The email claims that the CRA has calculated your fiscal activity and determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund.
It then asks you to complete the refund form and mail it to a listed address.
This email is a scam used to obtain personal and financial information for the purposes of identity theft.
Anyone with information regarding this online scam is asked to contact the RNC or Crime Stoppers.
Anyone who receives a suspicious communication should immediately report it to the Anti-Fraud Center of Canada, http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.