**** Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Release
Fraud alert!
Recent reporting to the CAFC has identified that consumers are receiving calls asking for their personal and financial information so that the Ontario Carbon Tax Credit can be deposited into their account. In some cases, consumers are also being solicited to sign up for home warranty and protection services.
With tax season upon us, Canadians need to be on the lookout for false, deceptive and misleading marketing tied to various tax incentives and credits being offered by third-party services.
Warning signs
- Calls offering government related tax benefits
- Unsolicited calls requesting personal and banking information
- Unsolicited calls asking you to confirm personal and financial information
Protect yourself
- Learn about available tax credits offered nationally and provincially
- Government services are free to access
A scammer, pretending to be from a business, government agency, a bank, or utility company, urgently asks you to verify your personal information. They may request information such as:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your birth date
- Your account information
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Once you provide this information, the scammer may use it for identity fraud.
Never provide personal information over the phone, online or through email in response to an unsolicited request.
