Saskatchewan RCMP report around 200 calls about tax scam

More than 200 people in Saskatchewan report picking up the phone only to be harassed and scared into handing over sensitive information to an aggressive tax collector.

As of Tuesday, April 26, Battlefords RCMP said they've fielded some 200 calls over the past 10 days from people who said they're getting calls from someone claiming to be a representative from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Complainants said the caller tells them they owe back taxes and demand payment immediately. Police said the caller threatens that the police would be dispatched to arrest them if they failed to make payment.

RCMP and the CRA want to send a message out to the public reminding them to be mindful of the ongoing scams.

The CRA said they will never request any information pertaining to passports, health cards, or a driver's licence from a taxpayer.

Anyone who receives one of these suspicious calls is reminded to contact their local law enforcement agency and end the call.

If you are a victim of a phone scam and have given out personal information, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.