CRA impostor swipes $4,800 from Brantford man, police say

A Brantford senioris left with a $4,856 loss after falling victim to a phone scam, police say.

I don't know if people are doing this through cold-calling or if they're purposely targeting certain people.- RCMPSgt. Penny Hermann

Brantford police say the incident occurredat 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, when the victimreceived aphone call fromsomeone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency.

The personclaimed that the victim had failed to pay anincome tax statement totaling$4,800, and that if the payment was not sent by 1 p.m, awarrant for hisarrest would be issued and hisassetswould be frozen.

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The man was then ordered to go to his bank, at which point he withdrew$4,856 and transferred themoney via Western Union. During the procedure hewas repeatedly told not todiscuss what or why he was doing this or his assets would be frozen.

Brantford Crime Prevention Officer Laura Collier said that these types of scams are commonplace around March due to tax season.

"Taxes are on everybody's minds around this time of year," she said. "Because of that, it can be easier to target people."

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and theRCMPhave been warning Canadians of the scam recently,reminding people to stay aware and be alert for any suspicious calls or demands made over the phone.

'I think everyone can be a target'

RCMP Sgt. Penny Hermann said that that the numberof reported CRA-related incidents rosefrom 7,000 in August of 2015, to 14,500 thisJanuary of this year, and that there is a 'good possibility' of cases specific to Hamilton.

"I don't know if people are doing this through cold-calling or if they're purposely targeting certain people, but I think everyone can be a target," said Hermann.

"I've heard of incidents involving people who have been here for a long time and have no idea what thescammeris talking about.It just depends on whoever they're able to con into giving them money."

Earlier in March, the Better Business Bureauannounced that CRA scamstook the No. 1 spot on its 'Top 10 Scam List of 2015'. InHamilton, the Police Fraud Unit reported that 18 per centof mass marketing scams during 2015 wereCRA-related.

Victims of scams are asked tocall local policeand contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at their website.