North Bay Police are warning area residents about a tool scammers use while pulling off the CRA con.
The device is Caller ID Spoofing and with it fraudsters disguise the number they’re calling from and make it look like a number the intended victim recognizes.
City police say the technology was successfully used in North Band and a resident was defrauded of $600.
Police say the victim was called three separate times by someone claiming to be a CRA investigator.
On one of those occasions the victim’s call display showed that the North Bay OPP were calling him.
The “OPP” explained the matter of the $600 and the victim thinking he was really talking to the provincial police believed the CRA demands for money were real.
Rather than face jail time, as was suggested if he didn’t pay, the victim handed over $600.
When he realized he’d been duped, he called police.
Police say if anyone gets a call claiming you owe them money, don’t readily hand it over.
They suggest you tell them you will call them back.
If the person gives you a number, don’t call it.
Instead take the time to look it up for yourself to ensure the number is legitimate.
