The Prince George RCMP would like to remind the public about the continued fraud that has been taking place in the city.

Fraudsters impersonating employees of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will call or email victims providing one of the following stories.

All stories are designed to have the victim send money to the fraudsters.

In most cases, fraudsters state that a payment must be made immediately or an arrest warrant will be issued.

RCMP would like to clarify that this is not the case at all.

The Fraudster will give the victim instructions that will involve wiring money.

In some cases, victims are asked to purchase cash cards, department store gift cards, iTunes gift cards or some other form of payment, and forward them to the fraudsters. The CRA would never make requests like this.

Fraudsters will keep calling and can remain very aggressive. If you pay, they call more often.

The Prince George RCMP have also received reports of a similar fraud where the criminal poses as an immigration officer and threatens deportation if money isn't sent.  In one case, the fraudster attempted to gain the victims Social Insurance Number.

In order to avoid scammers, following the following rules:

Do not take immediate action. The government has processes in place to acquire owed money, none of which are immediate:

• Know who you are dealing with. Obtain their contact information and search it on the internet. Often the contact info will be associated to frauds and not the CRA
• Hang-up and call the Canada Revenue Agency's (or other government agency) toll-free phone number 
• Never give your personal information to anyone that calls you over the phone
• The Canada Revenue Agency will not send an e-mail with a link and ask for personal information. If you receive one, do not divulge personal or financial information
• Never agree to wire back funds to the government or purchase cash cards.

If you have any information about fraud offences in Prince George, you are encouraged to contact the RCMP at (250)561-3300.