Income Tax fraud scam circulating

Local police are reminding residents to be wary of suspicious telephone calls.  Yesterday, West Parry Sound OPP was told of a possible telephone scam involving income tax.  The suspicious caller identified himself as a member of the International Crime Unit and says that there is a warrant out for the victim’s arrest because of an issue with their income tax and that they owe $2000.  He says that the only way to fix the situation is to write a cheque in the amount owed.  Officers say to never give personal information over the phone or send money to anyone without confirming the caller’s identity and the validity of the information being provided.  For more information regarding these and other types of frauds contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by telephone 1-888-495-8501 or visit them on the web at www.antifraudcentre.ca.  For further information regarding this scam visit the Canada Revenue web site for more information. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/fraudprevention/  If you suspect that someone you know has been a victim of a scam encourage them to report the incident to their local police service.  For the closest OPP Communications Centre, please call 1-888-310-1122.