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Fraud cops frustrate CRA scammers with call-backs by Tim Whitnell Metroland West Media 7 | Thursday, March 24, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton police officers turned the tables on apparent fraud artists recently by phoning them directly and grilling them about what they do. Det.-Sgt. Troy Izlakar, head of Halton police's fraud unit, said a retired Halton officer called late last week to let them know he had been contacted by someone claiming to be a representative of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the federal government's taxation arm. In the scam, typically the caller claims to be a CRA rep and tells the person they are calling they owe back taxes to the government and to send payment as soon as possible, usually by wire transfer, or else the police will arrest them. The retired cop gave the phone number left on his answering machine to police. That led to several fraud unit officers making a dozen calls to the number for an hour last Friday while they were at home and off-duty. They did not identify themselves as police officers and weren't asked if they were, said Izlakar. The number police were given and called was 1-844-210-4888. Izlakar advises the public to take note of the number and ignore it if they come across it. "Don't engage, just hang up. Don't send money, no matter how convincing they sound." He says no one should call that number, or any number they aren't familiar with, even if it looks legitimate; their own phone number and possibly their name might be displayed at the other end of the phone line and seen by an apparent scammer. "They (can) spoof the number (they use) to make it look like it's coming from the CRA or a police service," said Izlakar. As March is Fraud Prevention Month, Izlakar said his officers had a bit of fun at the scammers' expense last week. "We're a little sick and tired of seeing people victimized by this and took it upon ourselves to see what the deal was," Izlakar said. see Fraud on p.13 Chiropody Halton police Det.-Sgt. Troy Izlakar (Foot Care & Custom Made Orthotics) Sore Feet/Arch/Heel? Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? Hard to Cut Toenails? Corns/Calluses? Don't engage, just hang up. Don't send money, no matter how convincing they sound. They can spoof the number they use to make it look like it's coming from the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) or a police service. We're a little sick and tired of seeing people victimized by this. Halton Regional Police Fraud Unit Call Today 905-257-5628 Sigvaris Compression Stockings & Custom Made Orthotics Diabetic Foot Care & Nail Surgery NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Alia Ali Registered Chiropodist Det.-Sgt. Troy Izlakar www.dundaschiropractic.com Trafalgar & Dundas, Longo's Plaza Our difference designers makethe 490 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE KDESIGNCABINETRY.COM 905.339.2223