Tax Alert The Canada Revenue Agency warns Canadians of mail scam

Two scams for the price of one!

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The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is warning taxpayers to beware of a recent scam where some Canadians are receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter is not from the CRA. A PDF version of the letter is available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

The letter claims that there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return and that in order to receive any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual’s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports. This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.

All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ information.

The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.

For information about this and other similar scams, or to report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit www.phonebusters.com, send an email to info@phonebusters.com, or call 1-888-495-8501.

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Canada Post is warning people about a virus-ridden email that appears to come from the mail carrier but which actually reads the recipient's online banking information.

The email uses Canada Post's logo and allows people to punch in their tracking codes for specific parcels.

"It is a spam," said Canada Post spokesman John Caines. "We believe that there's also a virus attached to it, so what we're asking people do if they get this is just delete it. Don't open the attachment, don't click on any links, because it could be a problem for you."

Defence Intelligence, an Ottawa-based computer security firm, said the virus in the email is able to track people's online banking.

Canada Post says it never sends out these types of emails.