CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has once again been alerted that consumers are being targeted about tax issues. They are receiving calls from someone purporting to be from the Canada Revenue Agency alleging tax fraud.
“The Chamber has received a number of reports from area residents who have been contacted and threatened with legal action,” reports Executive Manager, Lezlie Strasser. “These calls do not come from the CRA and officials there emphatically state it is not how the Agency operates.”
Those CRA agents have re-confirmed they 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. They should also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit the CAFC web site at www.antifraudcentre.ca to file a complaint.
