You get a text message or an email from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) claiming you’re entitled to an extra refund and all you need to do is provide your banking details. Watch out—this wonderful-if-true situation is exactly what a tax scam looks like.
Another variation is that they call you to say that you owe the CRA money and that you need to pay right away, or else they will report you to the police.
In any case, if you do receive a call, letter, email or text saying you owe money to the CRA, you can double check online via “My Account” or call 1-800-959-8281.
PROTECT YOURSELF
The CRA will never:
- use aggressive or threatening language.
- threaten you with arrest or send police.
- ask for payments via prepaid credit cards or gift cards, such as ITunes, Home Depot, etc.
- collect or distribute payments through Interac e-transfer.
- use text messages to communicate under any circumstances.
Emails from the CRA:
- never ask for financial information.
- never provide financial information.
The CRA’s accepted payment methods are:
- online banking.
- debit card.
- pre-authorized debit.