Saskatoon

Tax scammers impersonating Saskatoon police officers

The latest incarnation of the Canada Revenue Agency have imposters claiming to represent the Saskatoon Police Service, collecting taxes in the form of gift cards for the CRA.

Scammers spoof the police's phone number

A close up image shows a finger pressing a number on a phone.
The latest incarnation of the Canada Revenue Agency telephone scam has imposters claiming to be members of the Saskatoon Police Service, representing the CRA. (CBC)

City police continue to field calls about people attempting to defraud residents by pretending to be tax collectors.

The latest version of the scam has imposters pretending to represent the Saskatoon Police Service. Police say when the scammers call residents, they claim to be with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and demand they pay back taxes in the form of iTunes gift cards.

Saskatoon police said they've been made aware that scammers have spoofed the Saskatoon Police Service's number. The imposters are using software to mask the number they are calling from, making it show up on call display as the Saskatoon Police Service number: 306-975-8300.

Police said they do not contact residents in regard to payment of taxes. They also want to remind people that the CRA does not communicate with taxpayers over the phone nor does it demand payments with gift cards.

If you have been a victim of fraud, you can file a report online at www.saskatoonpolice.ca/onlinereporting. For people looking to report an attempted fraud, you can contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or 1-888-495-8501.