A 41 year old Owen Sound resident has fallen victim to a pair of unscrupulous fraudsters impersonating Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigators.

Advised that she owed $3900 in back taxes as the result of an audit, the victim was instructed to make a payment immediately to avoid a fine. The payment was to be made by purchasing a bulk quantity of I-Tunes gift cards. So demanding, the culprit insisted that the victim keep an open telephone line while she purchased the gift cards from two separate Owen Sound retailers. Once the gift cards were activated, she was directed to provide the activation codes to the fraudsters.

Fortunately, Apple Corp was able to freeze the gift cards activity, making them non-redeemable.

According to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (CAFC), there has been a substantial increase in complaints where fraudsters request payment through the purchase of iTunes gift cards. In 2016 alone, the CAFC has received 46 complaints involving the use of iTunes gift cards as payment with losses totaling $85,041. The most common approach reported has fraudsters impersonating the real Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Warning sign(s) - How to Protect Yourself

* If you are asked to pay for any service or product with an iTunes gift card, don't do it, it's a scam.

* Ask yourself why the CRA would be asking for payment through an iTunes gift card over the phone or text message when they already have you on file as a taxpayer.

* Contact the CRA to confirm that you in fact owe back taxes, or are entitled to a refund, before providing any personal or banking information.

source: media release, Owen Sound Police Services