Image Credit: Shutterstock
October 31, 2019 - 9:28 AM
If your call display pops up the West Kelowna RCMP detachment number and someone starts asking you about your tax bill, hang up.
The warning stems from a report of fraudulent telephone calls that appear to be coming from the West Kelowna RCMP Detachment.
“We want the public to be aware these types of scams are planned to create stress so that victims respond immediately in an effort to correct or fix the problem,” Cpl. Meghan Foster of the Kelowna RCMP said in a press release. “The RCMP does not work with the CRA to collect outstanding taxes.”
The caller poses as the Canadian Revenue Agency and informs the victims that there is a large amount of money owing on their personal taxes. The caller further stated that the victim will be arrested at their home if they don’t pay the outstanding balance immediately via money transfer or credit card.
The fraudsters are using Caller ID spoofing that disguises the telephone number appearing on the caller ID display. This allows scammers to disguise their calls and trick people into answering their phones and trusting the caller.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2019