The Revelstoke RCMP is warning of a phone scam from people claiming to be government tax collectors.
In a news release, RCMP say several people have complained about the calls. In the calls, the caller purports to be from the government and tells the target they are being charged with tax evasion and the police will show up at their door and arrest them if they don't pay.
The caller asks for $1,500 to $3,000 to avoid the charge, and that only payment by cash or voucher is accepted. The caller gives out court document number and tries to get personal information from their targets. They don't provide a name, nor do they know the name of who they are calling.
"The Revelstoke RCMP are advising that there is no validity to these calls," writes Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky. "The persons behind these is acting fraudulently. This is similar to many of the current scam e-mails and phone calls being received for such things as free hotels, trips and flights."
The RCMP is advising people not to respond to these callers and to call the detachment at 250-837-5255 if you have been a victim. They also advise calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre at 1-888-495-8501.