Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash.

Hub Staff

Alex Ruff, Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, issued a statement this week encouraging constituents in Grey and Bruce to "maintain healthy skepticism" with regard to any solicitations for government benefits.

"Recently, my office has been alerted to an increase in third parties selling or soliciting to assist constituents with applying for government benefits," said Ruff in a November 21 media release. "Mail, phone calls, website, and emails use Canadian flags and other branding that appears to be affiliated with the federal or provincial governments," he added, saying that those applying for disability benefits, a pardon or an immigration or citizenship application do not need a third party business to be involved.

Information on these programs is available at:

CRA - Disability Tax Credit

canada.ca/disability-tax-credit

Parole Board of Canada

www.canada.ca/en/parole-board/services/record-suspensions

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship

"Scams can be reported to our local police service and the Canada Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng," the release said.