The Delta Police Department is urging residents to be aware of several scams that have popped up recently, including ones tied to the ongoing tax preparation season.
One such scam is said to involve someone from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) calling to demand money.
“A caller poses as rep from CRA indicating you owe money and need to pay immediately otherwise they threaten that you will be arrested,” states a posting on the department’s Facebook page.
Police have a few tips for people to remember should they be faced with this kind of scam:
• Government agency staff members do not generally work weekends.
• Government agencies don't take iTunes or gift cards as payment for anything.
• Government agencies don't threaten arrest over the phone.
• Government agencies don't advise you against calling the police.
• Government agencies will send information through formal channels (Canada Post) on official letterhead with contact information provided.
Banking scams have also been making the rounds.
Any text or email indicating that your account is suspended and prompting you to provide account information to "unlock" your account is not from a legitimate banking institution.
“Often times you will find you don't even bank with the ‘institution’ that is notifying you by text or phone,” according to the department. “Please do not provide personal information to anyone over the phone or via text in response to a request by the caller/texter.
Another scam that has been circulating is one in which the caller indicates they are from the police and that you have outstanding fines (unpaid tickets).
“Police do not call about such matters and police are actually not the ones that collect the fines,” according to the DPD. “If you have outstanding fines you will find out soon enough when you go to renew your driver's license and/or insurance. These people may look and sound legitimate, but they are not. They are creative and use fear to pull you into the scenario and get you to pay money or provide personal information.
“The criminal element is becoming sophisticated in their efforts to relieve you of your hard earned money or worse, your identity. DPD doesn't want you to be victimized by these opportunistic criminal types. Be alert.”
