Phone Scam - From "Canada Revenue" 1-844-288-0713

[james t kirk]

Just got a call on my land line. The number came up as "Unknown Name" and the number was 1-844-2888-0713.

As usual, I never answer any number such as the above. 99 times out 100, they never leave a voice mail. This one was different. There was a robo call voicemail stating that it was the Canadian Revenue Agency and the following message (which was partially cut off).

"so in the next 24 hours we will be marking a lien on [pause] your assets and bank accounts due to your inability to [pause] settle your dues with the CRA. A bill collection officer will visit you soon to complete that. [pause] Paper works. [pause] If you have any questions, then call our tax default [pause] line"

So this is different......

So I called the number and a guy with a thick east Indian accent answers the phone and I tell him about the voice mail. I can hear typing and talking in the background and I ask if this is the Canada Revenue Agency and he says yes, it's the "CRA in Ottawa". And I say, "Is this the Canada Revenue Agency?" And he says, it's "The CRA". I say, well, that's odd because the CRA is based in Sudbury not Ottawa.

He just hung up.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/scrty/frdprvntn/menu-eng.html


The CRA would never call initially about a tax issue, they mail.

If you did call the CRA, they would never hang up.

The CRA's phone would offer services in both French and English.

 

[thumper18474]

LOL..yeah if you're gonna try and scam people atleast make an effort to know what the fuck you're talking about..

I get calls about every couple weeks from someone saying...
"hi..I sold you your computer...remember me?"
LMAO..After a couple questions he goes off on me with a F-bomb concerto...and I just come back with...That all you got?....Click...

 

[james t kirk]

They called again. Same robo message.

Damn, I wish I had of been home.

 

[basketcase]

They called again. Same robo message.

Damn, I wish I had of been home.

Since you stupidly called them back I'm sure you can expect all kinds of scam calls from them and their associates.

 

[james t kirk]

Since you stupidly called them back I'm sure you can expect all kinds of scam calls from them and their associates.

Not really.

I didn't pick up, I called them back after dialing *67

 

[Smallcock]

Not bad. Almost as good as the Nigerian scammers.

 

[saxon]

I keep getting calls from Turkey, I won't answer but a European number comes up along with Turkey.

 

[wazup]

I got this too, he left his phone number, I'm gonna go to a pay phone and call him back and blow a whistle into the phone or an air horn while wearing ear muffs, what is a good whistle, a basketball whistle or a high pitched dog whistle?

 

[Mikehorn]

I got this too, he left his phone number, I'm gonna go to a pay phone and call him back and blow a whistle into the phone or an air horn while wearing ear muffs, what is a good whistle, a basketball whistle or a high pitched dog whistle?

You have too much time on your hands. And wtf is a "pay phone"?

 

[LickingGravity]

It didn't Trudeau long

 

[bigshot]

I came home from vacation in August and found a message on my phone fome guy with an Indian accent saying that he was a detective with the Ottawa Police Department, and that I was about to be charged with tax evasion. If I called him right away, we would work out a deal where I could avoid jail time!

First off, the CRA would never call you before having sent out a written notice. Second, the Ottawa PD does not do the dirty work for the Feds. This was clearly a scam and I hope no one who receives these calls is takes them seriously. It also occurred to me that a newcomer to Canada might be intimidated by this "government employee" and may not understand that this is not how the Feds go about collecting tax arrears.

What a bunch of scumbags!

 

[wazup]

You have too much time on your hands. And wtf is a "pay phone"?

Yeah. Where will I find the one minutes time it takes to do this. A pay phone is fairly self explanatory but I'll explain it to you anyways, it's a phone you pay to use.

 

[GPIDEAL]

Yes, CRA would never make a call like that without sending a letter first, which can also include a demand to pay or even a notice of garnishment.

I have to warn my mom now about this kind of shit, but she has call display and would never pick up a strange # like that.


P.S. CRA can call from Ottawa (613 exchange?) but like Jimbo said, usually from Sudbury if you live in Ontario, but I've taken calls from even Winnipeg & other parts, depending on the department. Locally, it can be from a 905 or 416 exchange.

 

[GPIDEAL]

1-844-765-3872

My mom called me to advise that CRA called and left her a message about an issue.

I called the # above identifying myself as an authorized rep and brought up my mom's name and # (I didn't have to bring up her name which was stupid in hindsight). The lady with an E.I. voice said that there was an issue involving fraud on her tax return.

I said "That's ridiculous". Where are you calling from?

Then there was silence with some background noise as if it was a call center before hanging up.

I googled the # and saw similar complaints by others with links to warnings by the Toronto Star and CRA.

I think I saw that these #s are from burner phones.

These fraudsters should be severely punished.

 

[Shades]

Last time I got a call like this, I started lecturing them on how they should be ashamed of themselves making a living scamming innocent people. Is this all they aspire too in life....to be a liar and cheat? What would there mummy and daddy think of them? I could go on but they usually have hung up by then

 

[Mr. Piggy]

I got the same call last week. The robotic east indian caller said "this is the CRS and this message is for you. If we don't hear from you or a lawyer retained by you, you will suffer the consequences". That's where I hung up.
I'm sick of these fucking telemarketers and automated calls so I am getting rid of my landline next month. Bell tried to talk me into keeping it because I cancelled my satellite tv already. Told them all bell cares about is how much money they can get for shit service so your gone. I then said thank you and have a nice day.

 

[OrganicFan]

Not really.

I didn't pick up, I called them back after dialing *67

If I remember correctly, *67 does not work when u call toll free numbers.