A Prince Rupert resident is out $1,000 after being the victim of a telephone scam.
Prince Rupert RCMP received a complaint regarding a scam on March 3 with the perpetrator posing as someone from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
A Rupertite received a message that they owed the Canada Revenue Agency money. When the individual returned the call a person identifying themselves as Michael answered, speaking with a Filipino accent.
"Michael" told the individual they owed the CRA $3,000 on an outstanding balance that had to be paid immediately or the agency would seize personal assets. The individual had a limited amount of funds available with an agreement being made to pay $1,000 through a company called Pay Power.
After becoming suspicious of the transaction, the Rupertite contacted the Canada Revenue Agency and discovered they had been the victim of a scam.
According to Prince Rupert RCMP anyone owing money to the CRA will first be sent a number of letters requesting to make payment arrangements. If the agency doesn't receive a response it may call people, however under no circumstances would the CRA threaten to seize personal assets during a telephone conversation.
"This incident is concerning to the Prince Rupert RCMP as people are being victimized and having their hard earned money taken," said Const. Matt Ericson, spokesperson for the Prince Rupert RCMP.
"We are warning the public of this event in hopes of preventing any further victimization and asking the public to contact police if they are contacted by this individual."
Furthermore, any payments to the agency would be made through your bank to the Canada Revenue Services Arrears Department and specific identification would be required.
Similar CRA scams have been taking place throughout the nation.
RCMP are asking anyone with information to contact the detachment at (250) 627-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477 (TIPS).