Money just sent to a scammer? Call your bank first, then the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501. What to do next

Short quiz and checks

Is the CRA really contacting me? How to check

If someone claiming to be the CRA demands payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency or Interac e-Transfer, threatens arrest, or sends a text with a link, it is a scam. To check, hang up and sign in to your CRA My Account yourself. If the CRA really needs something from you, it will be there.

Last reviewed . Written by Jeyki Security, free to use and print.

How the CRA really contacts you

  • My Account. Letters and notices are in your CRA My Account. The CRA sends an email to say you have mail there, and that email does not ask for personal or financial details.
  • Letters in the mail. Many notices still come on paper.
  • Phone calls, sometimes. The CRA says it may call, for example if you owe tax or money to a government program, if you did not file a return, or if it has questions about documents you sent. A real caller gives their name and a number to call back.
  • Text messages, rarely. The CRA can text a security code when you sign in, if you chose to get them on your phone. It does not text you a link to claim a refund or pay a balance.

What the CRA does not do

  • Ask for payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, prepaid cards or Interac e-Transfer.
  • Threaten you with arrest, deportation or sending the police.
  • Text or email you a link to your refund.
  • Leave a voicemail with personal or financial details.

What did they ask for?

Eight situations. Decide for each whether it is a scam, legit or can't tell. You will see the reason straight away.

  1. 1.A caller says you owe back taxes and must pay today with gift cards.
  2. 2.A recorded voice says a warrant is out for you and you will be arrested unless you call back now.
  3. 3.A text says you have a tax refund and gives a link to claim it.
  4. 4.An email says you owe money and asks you to pay by Interac e-Transfer to a CRA email address.
  5. 5.An email says you have new mail in your CRA My Account. It asks for nothing. You type canada.ca/my-cra-account yourself and find a letter there.
  6. 6.You just signed in to your CRA My Account and chose to get codes by phone. A text arrives with a 6-digit code.
  7. 7.A caller gives their name and a call-back number and says the CRA has questions about documents you sent. They do not ask for payment.
  8. 8.A caller says there is a problem with your Social Insurance Number and asks you to confirm it right now.

How to check for yourself

  1. Stop and hang up

    Do not click, do not call back the number they gave you and do not give any details. A real CRA matter will still be there in ten minutes.

  2. Sign in to My Account

    Type canada.ca/my-cra-account into your browser, or open the CRA's app if you use it. Look for mail and for any balance owing. If nothing is there, the call or message was almost certainly not real.

  3. Or call the CRA on a number from canada.ca

    The Individual Income Tax Enquiries line is 1-800-959-8281. Get the number from the canada.ca contact page yourself and do not trust a number given to you by a caller or a message.

  4. Check a call-back number

    If someone left a voicemail asking you to call, the CRA has a verify it's the CRA calling page and phone number tool. Use it before you call anyone back.

If you paid or gave details

Call your bank first, using the number on the back of your card. Then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501 or at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca. If you gave your SIN, call Service Canada on 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) and ask how to report it. See what to do after a scam for the full steps.

If you only got the call or text and did nothing, you can still report it. It helps others.

Common questions

Does the CRA ever phone me?

Yes. The CRA says it may call, for example if you owe tax or money to a government program, if you did not file a return, or if it has questions about documents you sent. A real caller gives their name and a number to call back. They will not threaten arrest or demand payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency or e-Transfer.

Does the CRA send text messages?

Not to start a conversation about your taxes, benefits or account. The CRA says it will not text you a link to claim a refund or pay a balance. It may send a security code by text when you sign in, if you chose that option. Treat any other text with a link as a scam.

Will the CRA email me a link to my refund?

No. The CRA says it will never email or text you a link to your refund. Its email notifications only tell you that you have mail waiting in My Account, and they do not ask for personal or financial details.

What if the caller knows my SIN or address?

That proves nothing. Scammers buy or steal personal details from data breaches. Hang up and check for yourself in My Account or by calling the CRA on the number from canada.ca.

I paid or gave details. What now?

Call your bank straight away using the number on your card. Then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501 and to the CRA using its report a scam page. If you gave your SIN, call Service Canada on 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) and ask how to report it.

Sources

  1. Recognize a scam, Canada Revenue Agency
  2. Verify it's the CRA calling, Canada Revenue Agency
  3. Report a scam or identity theft, Canada Revenue Agency
  4. Individual income tax enquiries line, Canada Revenue Agency
  5. My Account for individuals, Canada Revenue Agency
  6. Report cybercrime and fraud, National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System

Not sure about a message you got?

With the scam check plan you forward me any suspicious message and get a clear answer, with the reason, within one business day. It is C$12 a month and covers up to 4 people.

See the scam check plan