Fraudsters are trying to steal your identity

KELOWNA – The latest in a long list of scams to separate you from your hard-earned money is still making the rounds in the Okanagan.

Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Joe Duncan says police have been receiving reports about a phishing scam where the fraudsters pretend to be someone with Revenue Canada in order to steal your identity.

“The Canada Revenue scam begins with a cold-call, email or letter fraudulently claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency,” Duncan says in a media release.

He says the scammer asks you to verify your personal information, things like your social insurance, credit card, bank account or your passport numbers, so you can get a refund or a benefit payment.

“Providing your personal information will not get you a refund or payment and will only serve to compromise your credit.” Duncan says.

The scam has been reported multiple times in the North Okanagan and Kamloops areas this summer as well.

For further information on the Canada Revenue Scam check out the CRA website.

For more information on phishing and other frauds and scams go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.