Editor:
On Victoria Day, May 22, I received a phone voicemail. A male voice identified himself as RCMP Const. David Miller and advised me in a threatening tone, “Your income tax return shows a fraudulent transaction and must be attended to immediately. Do not delay, connect to me at 1-368-9392.”
I was not upset with his bullying tactics, and in hindsight I realized why I was so calm. Knowledge!
1. All inquiries by Revenue Canada are connected to my tax accountant Wendy Lavery not to me directly. 2. I had read a Police Report in Coast Reporter that referred to a woman who believed the scam was real and was initially taken in. 3. Victoria Day is an official government holiday – no government agents work that day.
I decided to write this note principally for senior folks like me who are being targeted. Please educate yourself about scams and do NOT react immediately. Stop and think before you jump to attention, especially if the scam artist is trying to separate you from your money. Connect with your money manager or accountant to discuss the issue before you head to your bank or provide credit card information over the Internet, email or telephone. Don’t be in a rush.
As soon as I heard this phone scam I phoned the Sunshine Coast RCMP office but the line was busy ... “leave your number.” So, I called 911 to request RCMP phone that 1-368 number, but was advised to phone 888-495-8501 to report the scam … “closed for holiday” message. My point of telling you these details is I was calm and didn’t feel threatened, hence I did not react in a way harmful to myself.
Calm down, don’t fret.
Maybe take a breath ... or meditate?
Robert Taylor, Sechelt
