A Surrey woman who said she was almost convinced that she owed Canada Revenue Agency more than $1,700 is warning others to be wary of smooth-talking callers who "put on such a convincing act."
"If I was 10 years older and I lived alone, I would have probably sent off a cheque," Sheila Hunter told Peace Arch News Thursday. "I was panicking."
Hunter, 59, said she received several calls over the course of a few days regarding her so-called debt. The callers knew her address, quoted an amount that wasn't unreasonable and provided a file number – they also cited an option that Hunter said had her fearful of arrest.
"They said, 'would you like to just clear this up now, or would you rather it just go through the court system?'" she said.
The strategy is one local police have fielded complaints about on a regular basis in the past six months.
In March, a White Rock senior reported that he was almost duped out of $3,500 by "very, very aggressive" callers.
For Hunter, the callers' timing last week, just days before the May 2 tax-filing deadline, added to their credibility.
"This is just such a perfect time to do it," Hunter said.
Police say the calls are not something that can be investigated locally, as they originate from overseas, and the perpetrators use false phone records and identities. Hunter determined the calls to her home were coming from a New York number.
She reported the incident to police as well as the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/), and is hopeful that sharing her experience will prevent others from being duped.
"This is something people should be a little more aware of."
Anyone suspecting they've been targeted by a scam may report it to the CAC online, or toll-free at 1-888-495-8501.