NEWS RELEASE/
COMMUNIQUÉ Executive Services
Services de direction
474, rue Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel./tél. 613-236-1222
Fax: 613-760-8064
www.OttawaPolice.ca
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 4:00pm
Canada Revenue and Utilities scam on the rise in Ottawa
(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Section has seen an increase
in reports of the Canada Revenue /utilities scam.
The scam involves victims receiving phone calls from persons identifying
themselves as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees. They inform the victims
that they owe the government money for back taxes and indicate to them that
payment must be made immediately or they will be arrested.
Victims are directed to go to the nearest store and purchase “Visa Pay Power
Cards” in various amounts. Once purchased, the victims are contacted again and
asked for the card number and the security codes for payment of their “debt”.
The suspects then access the cards and withdraw the funds purchased by the
victim.
An alternate variation of the scam is a person calling and indicating that an
immediate payment is required for hydro/water or the utility will be
disconnected forthwith. Payment is again requested via the Visa Pay Power
Cards.
“The public should be suspicious of any phone calls demanding immediate payment
via this method of payment,” said Sgt. Mitch Proteau, Fraud Section, Ottawa
Police Service. “The Ottawa Police recommends that any person contacted about
an unpaid bill should contact the utility (or CRA) using the publicly available
telephone number to verify their account status and the legitimacy of the call
they received.”
Anyone with information regarding this type of fraud is asked to call Ottawa
Police Fraud Section at 613-236-1222, ext. 5162. Anonymous tips can be
submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477(TIPS), toll free at
1-800-222-8477 or by downloading the Ottawa Police iOS app.
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CONTACT:
Fraud Section
Sgt. Mitch Proteau
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5162
@OttawaPolice
facebook.com/OttawaPoliceService
Received a person at my door yesterday, my wife answered and the person wanted to enter the house. She implied that she was with the Ontario Government and wanted to check out our utilities room. My wife who was aware by myself that these are scammers told her to leave. My wife was scared that the Ontario Government will come after her. I assured her not. My wife is not originally from Canada. I broached the person on the street and she again tried to make me feel that she is from the Government. She was starting to become aggressive. On her cap and shirt was Ontario Utilies Services.