The Barrie Police Service issued a public warning on March 13, 2026, regarding scammers impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency. These fraudsters are targeting residents in Barrie, Ontario, by using high-pressure tactics to demand payment for alleged back taxes or to offer fake refunds.
Criminals are contacting people through phone calls, emails, and text messages using urgent or threatening language. In 2026, these scammers have started using artificial intelligence to create more realistic messages and fake websites to trick taxpayers into giving up their personal and financial information.
Detective Kris Nicholson of the Barrie Police Service explained that the tax agency only communicates through the “My CRA” login portal, registered mail, or notifications that tell a person to check their official account activity. The government will not send links in an email or text message to ask for personal details or immediate payments.
The police remind residents that the tax agency never demands payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. They also do not threaten people with immediate arrest or use aggressive language. Anyone who receives a suspicious call or message should verify the information through their official online account or report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
