--- title: "Is the CRA really contacting me? ยท Jeyki Security" description: "How the Canada Revenue Agency really contacts you, what it never asks for, and how to check a call, text or email using My Account." url: "https://jeyki.ca/guides/is-the-cra-really-contacting-me" --- 1. [Home](https://jeyki.ca/) 2. [Guides](https://jeyki.ca/guides) 3. Is the CRA really contacting me? How to check 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 September 28, 2026. Written by Jeyki Security, free to use and print. [Email this to a parent](mailto:?subject=Is%20the%20CRA%20really%20contacting%20me%3F%20How%20to%20check&body=Hi%2C%20I%20thought%20this%20free%20guide%20would%20help%20you%3A%0A%0AIs%20the%20CRA%20really%20contacting%20me%3F%20How%20to%20check%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fjeyki.ca%2Fguides%2Fis-the-cra-really-contacting-me%0A%0AIt%20is%20written%20for%20people%20in%20Canada%20and%20takes%20a%20few%20minutes.)Share or copy linkPrint this guide ## 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. Is this request a scam? A caller says you owe back taxes and must pay today with gift cards. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Scam. The CRA does not ask for payment in gift cards, prepaid cards or cryptocurrency. This is one of the most common signs of a scam. 2. 2. Is this request a scam? A recorded voice says a warrant is out for you and you will be arrested unless you call back now. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Scam. CRA call agents do not threaten you with arrest, deportation or sending the police. Do not call the number back. 3. 3. Is this request a scam? A text says you have a tax refund and gives a link to claim it. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Scam. The CRA says it will never email or text you a link to your refund. It may text a security code when you sign in, if you chose that option, but that is not a link. 4. 4. Is this request a scam? An email says you owe money and asks you to pay by Interac e-Transfer to a CRA email address. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Scam. The CRA does not demand payment by Interac e-Transfer. Real payment options are on canada.ca, and you get to them by typing the address yourself. 5. 5. Is this request a scam? 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. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Legit. CRA email notifications only tell you there is mail waiting. They do not ask for details or payment. Signing in yourself and seeing the letter is the safe way to confirm. 6. 6. Is this request a scam? You just signed in to your CRA My Account and chose to get codes by phone. A text arrives with a 6-digit code. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Legit. The CRA sends texts for sign-in security codes if you chose that option. You asked for it and it has no link. Never read a code out to a caller. 7. 7. Is this request a scam? 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. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Can't tell. The CRA does sometimes call. This could be real, but you cannot tell from the call. Hang up, check My Account, and use the CRA's verify phone number tool or the enquiries line before you call back or share anything. 8. 8. Is this request a scam? A caller says there is a problem with your Social Insurance Number and asks you to confirm it right now. ScamLegitCan't tell Answer: Scam. Urgency plus a request for your SIN is a bad mix. Do not give it. If you are worried about your SIN, call Service Canada on 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) and ask how to report it. Try again ## 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](tel:+18009598281). 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](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/verify-cra-contact.html) 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](tel:+18884958501) or at [reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca](https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca). If you gave your SIN, call Service Canada on [1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)](tel:+18006226232) and ask how to report it. See [what to do after a scam](https://jeyki.ca/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](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/recognize-scam.html) 2. [Verify it's the CRA calling, Canada Revenue Agency](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/verify-cra-contact.html) 3. [Report a scam or identity theft, Canada Revenue Agency](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/report-scam.html) 4. [Individual income tax enquiries line, Canada Revenue Agency](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/contact-information/individual-income-tax-enquiries-line.html) 5. [My Account for individuals, Canada Revenue Agency](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/account-individuals.html) 6. [Report cybercrime and fraud, National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System](https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca/) ## Related guides - [How to spot a scam text message in Canada](https://jeyki.ca/guides/how-to-spot-a-scam-text-message-canada) A short quiz with realistic Canadian examples, then the red flags and what to do. - [Is this a scam? A 60-second check](https://jeyki.ca/guides/is-this-a-scam-60-second-check) A few yes or no questions and a clear next step. Works for calls, texts, emails and messages. - [Email hacked? A free Canadian checklist](https://jeyki.ca/guides/email-hacked-canadian-checklist) Secure the account, protect your money, and tell the right people. Saves your progress and prints. ## 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](https://jeyki.ca/services#scam-check)