The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is warning the public about people posing as officials from the agency, who are asking for personal information, in a series of ongoing phishing scams.
The scams take the form of email, text messages or telephone calls asking for personal information including Social Insurance Numbers.
According to a media release, these scams use false CBSA information to make it appear that the scammers are legitimate agency officials. Telephone numbers and employee names may appear to be from the CBSA, while emails may display CBSA logos and email addresses to mislead readers.
While the methods used by the scammers, and the rationale they provide to justify continued contact with victims, are varied and ever-changing, according to the CBSA, they are always designed to lure the public into providing personal information.
CBSA is reminding the public that the agency never requests SIN or credit card numbers by telephone or email.
If anyone receives a telephone call or an email asking for personal information or requesting payments from the CBSA, it is a scam.
The CBSA is asking anyone who receives these calls to report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
