Email tax scam claims to send refund from CRA, Windsor police

The Windsor police is warning people of a scam which involves fake emails claiming to be sent from the Canada Revenue Agency.

The Fraud Unit said it has received several complaints from Windsorites who have received emails, claiming the receiver has a refund from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and asks to follow a link to a website which asks for personal information.

The CRA is also warning about this scam, stating the fraudsters are claiming the money will be sent through an email transfer in some cases.

"Canadians are reminded that the CRA will only send payments by direct deposit or by cheque, never by email money transfer," states a release from the CRA.

People may also receive phone call or letters from claiming toCRA. In all of these cases people are asked for their a social insurance, credit card number, bank account and passport numbers.

"Invariably, the communication argues that this personal information is needed so that the taxpayer can receive a refund or benefit payment. Another common scam refers the person to a Web site resembling the CRA's Web site where the person is asked to verify their identity by entering personal information. Taxpayers should not respond to such fraudulent communications," the CRA said.

The CRA does not do the following:

• request personal information of any kind from a taxpayer by email
• divulge taxpayer information to another person unless formal authorization is provided by the taxpayer
• leave any personal information on an answering machine