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Police warn of phone scam using Vancouver Police non-emergency number

The VPD’s non-emergency line is used for reporting non-emergency police situations, not soliciting
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If you get a call from the Vancouver police non-emergency line but find yourself speaking to a Canada Revenue Agency representative, it’s a scam.

That’s according to the Vancouver Police Department who are warning Vancouver-area residents of a phone scam where the caller has manipulated phones to display the VPD’s non-emergency number, 604-717-3321, and then claim to be a CRA representative and demand payment for unpaid taxes.

“Police are advising the public that the VPD’s non-emergency line is used for reporting non-emergency police situations, and would not be used to solicit for any organization or individual,” a press release issued Friday reads.

The recent calls are part of a fairly common ploy by con-artists that has been making its way across B.C.

Police remind residents that the CRA never requests prepaid credit cards, never asks for information that can be found on passports, health cards or driver’s licenses or leaves personal information on answering machines.


@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca

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About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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