The Steinbach RCMP are reminding the public to be wary of an old CRA scam that has resurfaced in recent days.

According to Steinbach RCMP Sergeant Joanne Ryll, victims of this scam will receive a call from an individual claiming to be part of the CRA, advising them that their SIN number has been compromised and that they will be receiving further instructions from the police. Next, the person will receive a call from a fictitious “Constable Marshall” instructing them to withdraw a specified amount of cash from their bank account and deposit it in the nearest BitCoin machine. The person is then told that they will receive a final phone call with their new SIN number. But, as Ryll notes, no further calls will be made.

Once the money is deposited, Ryll warns that it cannot be retrieved nor can the fraudster be traced and apprehended.

To further complicate matters, Ryll says the fraudsters are masquerading under the phone number of the real Steinbach RCMP Detachment (204-326-1234). This real number authenticates the call and can make it easier to believe the scam. However, Ryll stresses that the RCMP will not ever ask for money in this way.

Anyone who receives a phone call similar to this or any other potentially fraudulent requests for money is urged to hang up immediately and report the incident to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.