Volume 14 • No. 7 • April 1 - 15, 2018 Publication Mailing Account #41721512
Beware of tax scammers
Fraud and identity theft is a danger throughout the year but tax time is an especially active season for aggressive criminals trying to rip off honest citizens. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) continues to receive reports of e-mails, text messages and telephone calls related to tax scams. There are many types of fraud and new ones are invented daily. Some examples: • Fraudsters are calling individuals impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and claiming that a recent audit has identified discrepancies from taxes filed in the past. Repayment is required immediately. The scammers threaten consumers that if they fail to pay, they will incur additional fees, jail time, or even deportation. The swindlers may request payment via money
12 MHEL ELAGO (204) 955-4654
landmhel@gmail.com
www.landmhel.ca
service business, pre-paid cards, gift cards such as iTunes or Bitcoin. • An individual might receive an e-mail or text message indicating a refund is pending from
the CRA. The e-mail includes a link that directs the person to a web site that looks like the actual CRA. They are asked to fill in their personal information such as See SCAMMERS p17
Manitoba Government recommends private health insurance for travellers Are you planning to go to Grand Forks for the weekend? Are you going to Toronto or Vancouver to visit family for a few days? If you get sick outside of Manitoba during the days of your short vacation, are you aware that Manitoba Health can’t cover your expenses and you may have to shoulder those medical expenses on your own? Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living advised Manitobans in a recent announcement to consider purchasing private travel health insurance before trips outside the province. Health-care services in other countries, particularly the United States, can be significantly more expensive than in Manitoba. Even See TRAVELLERS p18
Photo courtesy of Hershel Matibag
Jessy Mendiola