With tax season in full swing, Windsor police are issuing an urgent warning about the Canada Revenue Agency scam that's expected to ramp up.
Police officials say the CRA will most often send you a registered letter to collect back taxes, not contact you over the phone. They will also never ask you to settle a debt using a pre-paid credit card or money gram.
In the last two weeks Windsor police received 50 CRA-related calls.
Windsor police held a news conference Friday morning to draw attention to the scam.
It's being called a "real serious issue" with devastating consequences to the victims. An issue not only prevalent in Windsor, but across Canada.
Last month alone five local victims lost $56,000 due to the scam. Police say the scammers are calling demanding a tax debt be paid or the person would be arrested.
Police Chief Al Frederick says awareness and prevention is key.
"This is not a serious offense as far as the course are concerned, this is a property crime," says Frederick. "But to a victim, it's devastating."
If police do end up catching the scammer, Frederick says "it's unlikely they'll go to jail."
In almost all cases, police say they can't determine the source.
Windsor West MP Brian Masse, right, speaks about an immigration scam alongside Windsor police chief Al Frederick, February 12, 2016. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Windsor West MP Brian Masse is also speaking out against a different scam involving immigration.
He says the caller would threaten to revoke their citizenship or even deportation if they didn't pay a specific amount.
The best advice, they say, is to be vigilant. If you're ever unsure about a call, hang up and call them back using a legitimate number.
