| Every March, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) joins organizations around the world to recognize Fraud Prevention Month. Keeping your information secure is a top priority for the CRA. Learning how to identify fraud, scams, and tax schemes helps you keep your personal information safe.Recognize the signs of fraud and scamsScammers might insist they need personal or financial information, like your social insurance number (SIN), credit card number, or bank account number. Often, they will try to get you to act quickly in hopes of getting a refund or benefit payment in return. They may also try to intimidate you by using bullying or threatening language to get you to pay a false debt. And sometimes, they will lead you to a fake website asking you to verify your identity by entering your personal information or CRA sign-in credentials. Find more information on how to protect yourself against scams and schemes on the CRA’s scams and fraud page. Scammers are always adapting their practices to find new ways to get your information. Stay up-to-date by visiting the CRA’s recognize a scam page, which includes details and examples of some of the latest benefit and tax-related scams.What to do if you’ve been scammedIf you think you may be the victim of a scam or fraud, or if you were tricked into giving away your personal or financial information, contact all of the following:your local police serviceyour financial institutioncredit reporting agencies (Equifax and TransUnion)Contact the CRA if you:think your CRA user ID or password has been compromisedfind changes to your banking, address, business, or personal information in your CRA account that you did not requestfind a benefit application made for you without your knowledgewant to disable online access to your CRA account because of suspicious activityHow the CRA communicates with CanadiansKnowing what to expect when the CRA contacts you can help you tell the difference between real communications from the CRA and scams. Legitimate CRA employees will identify themselves when they call you. They will also give you their name and a callback phone number. If you have a CRA account, the CRA will notify you by email when it has a message or document for you to view in your account.It’s just as important to know what the CRA won’t do when contacting you. The CRA will never demand immediate payment by e-transfer, cryptocurrency, prepaid credit cards, or gift cards. Our call centre agents won’t threaten you with arrest, deportation, or sending the police. As well, the CRA doesn’t leave voicemails that include personal or financial information, and it will never email or text you a link to your refund.If you are ever unsure and want to confirm if the CRA contacted you, hang up and call one of the following:In the provinces:Individuals: 1-800-959-8281 Businesses: 1-800-959-5525In the territories:Individuals: 1-866-426-1527 Businesses: 1-866-841-1876Tax schemesUnlike scams and fraud, tax schemes are plans or arrangements that go against Canadian tax laws and are often advertised by “promoters.” Promoters are individuals or businesses who recruit taxpayers for their tax schemes by promising to reduce their taxes so that they receive large tax deductions or tax-free income. Learn how to recognize tax schemes by visiting the beware of tax schemes that promise to reduce your taxes page.Learn moreFurther information on this topic is available on the CRA Taxology podcast episode on how to be scam smart and from the resources below.ResourcesScams and fraud – CRAReport a scam or identity theftLatest scam alertsHow the CRA secures compromised accountsSecurity and privacy of your information with the CRASecurity of Taxpayer InformationContact the CRAScams and fraud – Government of CanadaCanadian Anti-Fraud Centre |
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