RCMP warning of phone scam with CRA and police impersonators

RCMP say they've responded to a number of complaints from people who say they've received fraudulent calls from people claiming to be a member of the RCMP or a representative from the Canadian Revenue Agency.

Const. Mark Skinner says there have been three to four complaints in the Port Hawksbury area.

"It is a little unusual. It appears to be a play on the traditional phone scam with a new twist," he says.

That new twist on the CRA scam that has popped up in the Maritimes is that callers are referencing the name of a local RCMP officer and even making the local detachment's number show up in the caller ID, Skinner says.

The caller says they're part of a local detachment and going to "come and get them" at their home, according to police.

"We would never do that," said Skinner.

That first call is followed up by another where someone claims to know about the police call and claims to be from the CRA. Skinner says they then apply pressure and use intimidation to try to get money.

Police warn this could result in identity or financial threat.

They advise people to consider if they are actually expecting a call from the RCMP or if the police have any reason for contacting them. They also say people should be wary if a caller is asking for personal information that isn't related to a police file.

If people receive such a call, police advise them to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.