The Revelstoke RCMP has received several complaints from members of the public who say they have received phone calls from fraudulent tax collectors.
“The calls are reportedly coming from the ‘government’ and involve the caller informing them that they are being charged with tax evasion and the police will be showing up at their door if they don’t pay,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky said in a statement released on Wednesday, April 8. ” The caller advises that when the police show up at the door they will be arrested and held for at least 72 hours. The caller is requesting $1,500 to $3,000 to avoid the charge. The public is told that they cannot pay by cheque, that payment by cash or voucher will only be accepted and that they must have it ready in 1 hour.”
Grabinsky said the caller is giving court document numbers, and attempting to get personal information out of people.
“They do not give a call back number and call display is from an unknown number,” he said. “The caller does not known the name of the person they are calling usually.”
The Revelstoke RCMP say “there is no validity to these calls.” The person behind these is acting fraudulently. This is similar to many of the current scam e-mails and phone calls being received for such things as free hotels, trips and flights.
The RCMP are advising people to not respond to these callers, to not provide any personal information, and to call the Revelstoke RCMP at 250.837.5255 if you have been a victim of this fraud. As well, consider phoning the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre – PHONE BUSTERS at 1-888-495-8501 or check out the web site at www.phonebuster.com.
