Residents are being warned about a different approach scammers are taking after a Windsor woman fell victim.
Windsor police say the case begin on Tuesday afternoon, when the woman, in her 40s, found a message on her voicemail from a man claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency asking for a callback. When the woman did, the man said she owed the CRA money, and she would be arrested if she didn't pay up.
While she was still on the phone, a man and a woman appeared at her door with ID cards and badges, saying they were with the CRA.
The victim was asked to drive to a bank on Tecumseh Rd. W near Huron Church Rd with the female suspect, while the male suspect followed in a newer black sedan. When they arrived at the bank, the female suspect got out of the victim's car and joined the male. The victim withdrew money. Then they drove to another bank at Tecumseh Rd. E and Moy Ave., where she withdrew more.
The total given to the suspects was $5,000.
The victim reported the incident to police on Thursday.
The suspects are described as a white male, age 35 to 40, 6'1", 200 lbs, with brown hair and full beard, wearing a suit. The female suspect is white, also 35 to 40 years old, 5' 7", 155 lbs, with blonde hair and brown eyes, wearing business clothes.
Windsor Police Constable Andy Drouillard reminds the public that this scam can take on a variety of forms, such as phone, email and text message. A few scammers have been known to meet potential victims face-to-face.
Canada Revenue says they will never demand payment in person or ask for payment by wire transfer, gift cards, and so forth. They will also never show up at your house and threaten to arrest you or order you to take them to your financial institution.
If you have any doubt as to whether the CRA has a legitimate reason to question you about a tax bill, call them directly at 1-800-959-8281.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's official website has complete information on how to spot scams and avoid becoming a victim.
Anyone who can identify the two suspects in this case or with additional information is urged to call Windsor police at (519) 255-6700, ext. 4330. Anonymous tips can also be phoned into Crime Stoppers at (519) 258-TIPS (8477) or submitted online.
