Prince George, B.C. – It’s tax filing season, so be aware of fraudsters.

That’s the advice from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) who remind people “if you get a call or email that sounds like a scam, it probably is.”

With that in mind, the CRA remind people they would never do the following:

• ask for personal information by email or text message
• request payment by prepaid credit card
• share your tax information with another person or organization, unless you have agreed that it can be shared
• leave personal information on an answering machine
• threaten with police arrest or use nasty language

During anti-fraud month last month RCMP Corporal Craig Douglass told 250News the threat of this scam is real.

“During the height of that scam, we received dozens and dozens of calls every day. The CRA will not demand payment through gift cards, nor will they accept bank drafts.

“We know there have been a couple of victims of this scam in Prince George, and we know there are more victims who just haven’t reported it.”

If you are in doubt, the CRA asks you either check My Account or call 1-800-959-8281.

To report scams, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or call toll free at 1-888-495-8501.

If you believe you may be the victim of fraud or have given personal information by mistake, contact the police.