Cyber-Criminals Targeting Canadian’s by Posing as Canadian Revenue Agency in Email Phishing Scam

Author: Joe Martin, Date: 2016-10-18

North Vancouver’s Compunet Infotech Urges Local Businesses and Individuals Not to be Duped by Latest Online Scam

Canadian’s nationwide have been receiving a similar email. The message claims the recipient is entitled to a tax return of some CAD amount. In order to claim it, the recipient must click the embedded link and provide personal and financial details in order to process the alleged refund. Unfortunately, the personal details are not used to process this actually non-existent tax return. Scammers are using the email to dupe unsuspecting, and possibly financially starved, Canadian’s into handing over access to their money and identity. The scams aren’t limited to Canada either, with scammers slowly starting to target email recipients in the UK, United States and beyond.

With Cyber Security Awareness Month coming in October, Compunet Infotech wants to ensure local businesses and individuals are staying privy to the latest and most threatening cyber scams. Additionally, they want to ensure that people are aware of the red flags that can help identify scams before it’s too late.

• First and foremost, it’s important to remember that a highly recognized government body like the CRA would never contact tax-payers via an unsolicited email. Unless you receive direct mail communication, with a legitimate phone number, anyone claiming to be representing the CRA should automatically seem suspect.
• Next, any communication that promises a financial return to the recipient, but then also demands personal and financial details be provided is a scam. While most who are internet-savvy are aware of this red-flag, lack of awareness or financial desperation can often cloud judgement when these phishing emails arrive in various inboxes.
• With these red flags in mind, when these phishing scams do arrive, it’s a good idea to flag them as such if the email application has the capability to do so. Cyber criminals are difficult to track down, so the more active reporting, the better.

Compunet Infotech knows that cyber criminals are getting increasingly savvy and sophisticated in their attempts to rob Canadian’s of their money, data or identity. President Nick Nouri urges local businesses and individuals alike to be wary of the warning signs. “Never, ever click on links embedded in unsolicited emails.” Nouri claims. “And most importantly, don’t ever give over exploitable data like names, tax ID numbers, or financial information to these scammers attempting to pose as legitimates. If they don’t provide a phone number and actual human being for you to verify that what is said in the email is true, then leave it alone, flag it, and delete it.”

If you’d like to connect your audience with more information about this increasing prevalent scam impacting Canadian email users, please don’t hesitate to contact Nick Nouri for more information. Keeping Canadian’s in the know about these threats is critical to fostering a vigilant cyber security environment through which these criminals can be evaded.

About Compunet Infotech Inc.

Compunet believes in helping Vancouver business clients approach technology in an optimistic and strategic way. Their team of experts is committed to learning about client expectations, budgets, needs and goals and then build an IT plan designed specifically for each business. They work to maintain a proactive approach to client technology in order to avoid disastrous data loss and downtime. Most importantly, Compunet offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee that ensures the recommendations and solutions they put in place are up to par.

Nick Nouri, President
Compunet Infotech Inc.
(604) 986-9170 – nick@compunet.ca
www.compunet.ca