Know How to Recognize a Scam

There are many fraud types, including new ones invented daily. 

Taxpayers should be vigilant when they receive, either by telephone, mail, text message or email, a fraudulent communication that claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requesting personal information such as a social insurance number, credit card number, bank account number, or passport number.

These scams may insist that this personal information is needed so that the taxpayer can receive a refund or a benefit payment. Cases of fraudulent communication could also involve threatening or coercive language to scare individuals into paying fictitious debt to the CRA. Other communications urge taxpayers to visit a fake CRA website where the taxpayer is then asked to verify their identity by entering personal information. These are scams and taxpayers should never respond to these fraudulent communications or click on any of the links provided.

To identify legitimate communications from the CRA, be aware of these guidelines and know what to expect when the CRA contacts you. 

By phone

The CRA may

verify your identity by asking for personal information such as your full name, date of birth, address and account, or social insurance number

ask for details about your account, in the case of a business enquiry

call you to begin an audit process

The CRA will never

ask for information about your passport, health card, or driver’s license

demand immediate payment by Interac e-transfer, bitcoin, prepaid credit cards or gift cards from retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, or others

use aggressive language or threaten you with arrest or sending the police

leave voicemails that are threatening or give personal or financial information

By email

The CRA may

notify you by email when a new message or a document, such as a notice of assessment or reassessment, is available for you to view in secure CRA portals such as My Account, My Business Account, or Represent a Client

email you a link to a CRA webpage, form, or publication that you ask for during a telephone call or a meeting with an agent (this is the only case where the CRA will send an email containing links)

The CRA will never

give or ask for personal or financial information by email and ask you to click on a link

email you a link asking you to fill in an online form with personal or financial details

send you an email with a link to your refund

demand immediate payment by Interac e-transfer, bitcoin, prepaid credit cards or gift cards from retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, or others

threaten you with arrest or a prison sentence

By mail

The CRA may

ask for financial information such as the name of your bank and its location

send you a notice of assessment or reassessment

ask you to pay an amount you owe through any of the CRA’s payment options

take legal action to recover the money you owe, if you refuse to pay your debt

write to you to begin an audit process

The CRA will never

set up a meeting with you in a public place to take a payment

demand immediate payment by Interac e-transfer, bitcoin, prepaid credit cards or gift cards from retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, or others

threaten you with arrest or a prison sentence

By text messages/instant messaging

The CRA never uses text messages or instant messaging such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp to communicate with taxpayers under any circumstance. If a taxpayer receives text or instant messages claiming to be from the CRA, they are scams!

When in doubt, ask yourself

Why is the caller pressuring me to act immediately? Am I certain the caller is a CRA employee?

Did I file my tax return on time? Have I received a notice of assessment or reassessment saying I owe tax?

Have I received written communication from the CRA by email or mail about the subject of the call?

Does the CRA have my most recent contact information, such as my email and address?

Is the caller asking for information I would not give in my tax return or that is not related to the money I owe the CRA?

Did I recently send a request to change my business number information?

Do I have an instalment payment due soon?

Have I received a statement of account about a government program I owe money to, such as employment insurance or Canada Student Loans?

If you do have a debt with the CRA and can’t pay in full, take action right away. For more information, go to When you owe money – collections at the CRA.