Friday, August 29, 2008

Police issue warning to public

Morning Star:

Police are alerting the public of a mail scam that involves the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The agency itself is warning taxpayers to beware of a scam that has surfaced where people are receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter claims there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return, and that in order to receive any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual’s personal information in writing via fax or e-mail, including information on bank accounts and passport. The CRA is adamant the letter is not from its organization, and that Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender. Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk said there have been no reports of the letter, which he believes arrives in the mail and by e-mail, showing up so far in the North Okanagan. “We want to get the word out about this scam and be preventative,” he said. A copy of the bogus letter can be found on the CRA’s website, www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

All taxpayers should be vigilant when giving out any confidential information to third parties.T he CRA states it has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ personal information.

A PDF version of the letter is available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

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