Windsor police are warning the public against a scam involving the Canada Revenue Agency and iTunes cards.

During a two-week period, police received over 200 complaints in the community. 

In two of the cases, people were contacted by telephone and the caller claims to be from the CRA and advises the person that they owe the government money and the debt is past due.  

They claim that if the debt is not settled immediately, the victim could be in jeopardy with the CRA and local law enforcement. 

The caller directed the victims to purchase iTunes gift cards in the amount of the outstanding debt.  They have the victim provide the card information to them over the phone.  

In one case, the victim lost $8000 and in the other they lost $1000.

In the incident involving $1000 in losses, the victim paid the amount and received another call and the suspect spoofed the number to appear as a Windsor Police number and the caller advised that it was a Windsor Police officer. 

The victim re-attended a store and was about to purchase $6200 in iTunes cards.  The employee at the store enquired why she was purchasing so many gift cards and then advised the complainant that she believed it was a scam. 

The victim then contacted police directly to report the fraud.

Windsor police want to remind the public to remain vigilant and know that the CRA would never have you pay an outstanding debt with a gift card or iTunes cards.   

Visit the CRA website for more information: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/lrts/2015/l150610-eng.html

If you have concerns or suspicions, call the taxation office at 1-800-267-6999.