People attempting to defraud Saskatoon residents of money through an iTunes gift card scam are now claiming to represent the Saskatoon Police Service.

The SPS has received reports from residents who have been called by someone claiming to be with the Canada Revenue Agency and demanding payment for back taxes with iTunes gift cards. When the residents refused they then received a call from what appeared to be an SPS phone number. That person claimed to be an officer and encouraged the resident to follow through with the request for payment with iTune gift cards.

The SPS does not contact citizens in regard to payment of taxes. It appears the fraudsters have spoofed the SPS telephone number, 306-975-8300. "Spoofing" is a process by which people attempting fraud use software to mask the number they are calling from, and make it show up on call display as something else. Anyone receiving similar calls should hang up immediately and call the Saskatoon Police Service at the main telephone number.

The SPS also wishes to remind the public that the CRA does not communicate with taxpayers in this way, nor does it request payment via gift cards.

If you have been a victim of fraud, please file a report online:www.saskatoonpolice.ca/onlinereporting/. If you would like to report an attempted fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or 1-888-495-8501.