Staying Ahead of Fraudsters
April 22, 2024
How I should respond to a recent email from a bank . . .
Dear Big Bank:
Thank you so much for your email. I couldn’t agree more as to the importance of staying one step ahead of fraudsters. It’s an epidemic these days. Just recently, I got a call from someone saying my $300 debit card purchase at Carpet City had been declined and instructing me to call them back to have them remove the hold they put on my card. All for my protection, of course. A likely story. Naturally, I didn’t fall for it. But there are enough gullible people out there who will. A couple of days ago, I spotted someone wearing a mask. Outside. Idiots are everywhere and the bad guys are just waiting to pounce on them. You know what they say, a fool and his money are soon parted. So I’m glad the bank is being proactive.
As important as it is to stay one step ahead of fraudsters impersonating the bank or a government agency, however, the bank might want to consider alerting valued clients like me about much bigger fraudsters. Like the government itself.
We all know how they fooled so many of us about this supposed dangerous virus that was going wipe out humanity. But if you take these shots, you’ll be protected, they said. Don’t be worried because it’s new technology and hasn’t been mass tested on humans before. It’s safe and effective. Trust the science. A miracle of modern medicine. So many went along and lined up to be part of the biggest medical experiment in history. And now they’re paying the ultimate price.
Their latest scam involves hiking taxes on just about everything and telling us that without those taxes, the planet will go into an apocalyptic meltdown. Global boiling is the current in-vogue term. According to them, paying more taxes is the only way to stop the weather from changing and stop arsonists from lighting wildfires. And despite spending thousands upon thousands as a result of these new taxes, with the hundreds you get back in rebates, it will make you wealthier. It’s a win-win for the environment and for your wallet, they say.
The whole thing is even more laughable than those who claim to be from the CRA and asking for your banking information. Or the Carpet City debit card purchase I mentioned. It’s even more off the wall than the well-worn Nigerian prince scam. And yet there is a fringe minority of suckers who really buy into it.
While there are plenty of bad guys out there, no one can possibly defraud more and cause us more harm than the government.
It’s something you might consider for the next fraud-alert email you send to your clients.
--- Original message ---
From: Big Bank
To: Me
Subject: Is that really the CRA contacting you?
Curtis, as the 2024 tax deadline approaches, fraudsters are getting more active – and more clever.
Are you getting phone calls and texts asking for identifying information? Are they trying to create a sense of urgency? Is there something that just doesn’t feel right? By understanding some of the dos and don’ts of the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), we can help keep your money and information protected from scams, while giving you more time to focus on filing your taxes.
Here are some ways to identify scams:
- The CRA will never leave aggressive or threatening voice mail messages, or demand immediate payment via Interac eTransfer, prepaid gift card or cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin
- The CRA will not ask for information such as your credit card number or banking information including your PIN or any codes, nor will they ask you to provide any information by clicking any links to an online form
- The CRA will not offer to apply for any additional Government of Canada benefits on your behalf and request personal or banking information
- The CRA will provide proof of working with the CRA such as a name and office location
Let’s stay one step ahead of fraudsters.
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