The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center has received reports of a new variation of this scam where fraudsters say that your Social Insurance Number (SIN) has been blocked, compromised or suspended. Remain Vigilant.
Fraudsters are pretending to be calling from government agencies such as: Service Canada, the RCMP, or various court houses and are displaying the phone number of these agencies on your caller ID. Consumers who receive this call are asked to provide their SIN and other personal information (DOB, name, address, etc.). Victims who provide their personal information to fraudsters are at risk of identity fraud.
Caller ID spoofing disguises telephone numbers appearing on a caller ID display. This popular tool allows scammers to disguise their calls, as the call will appear to be coming from local or familiar numbers to trick people into answering the phone and trusting the caller.
Warning signs - How to protect yourself
- Don't trust your call display. It may say "Police" or "ABC", but in reality, it is actually a scammer. It does not matter what the caller ID says, you cannot trust it.
- If you get a call from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency seeking personal information, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book or on the company or government agency's website to verify the authenticity of the request.
- Never give out personal information such as account numbers, social insurance number (SIN), mother's maiden name, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls.
Were you a victim?
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Toll-free: 1-888-495-8501
Competition Bureau of Canada
Toll-free: 1-800-348-5358
New Brunswick RCMP
Toll-free: 1-888-506-7267
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Toll-free: 1-866-461-3222
Better Business Bureau
(BBB Locator Tool)