Toronto Police are warning the public about an ongoing scam involving crooked telephone calls purportedly coming from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), police officers, and/or federal agents working for Immigration Canada or a large utility company like Hydro One. Residents with call display/caller ID will see the name Canada Revenue Agency on their phone or a phone number associated with Toronto Police Service or the utility company. This is accomplished with “spoof cards” which can be easily purchased. Spoof cards are calling cards that let you pretend you are calling from any phone number you select, and that phone number is displayed on the receiving phone’s caller ID. Residents are led to believe these calls are legitimate due to the phone numbers displayed or the personal information the caller may have about the resident or a family member. These fraudulent phone calls instruct the recipients to wire-transfer money or purchase pre-paid credit cards. Never agree to such a request because it almost certainly an attempt to rob. Call the police at the number listed in the phone book or online.
