Tax season | Fraud alert!
Cybercrime is a constant threat, and ill-intentioned people take every opportunity to try and fool you. Their main aim is to get money or personal information out of you.
Beware of fraud!
Tax season is ripe for fraud. Be on the lookout for schemes involving the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or provincial governments.
William’s story
William, a 19-year-old university student working part-time, is entitled to an $825 tax refund from the federal government.
Five days after receiving his refund by direct deposit, he receives an email from the CRA informing him that the amount has been revised and that he is entitled to an additional $170.
A link in the email directs him to an online form where he must enter his personal information (name, address, social insurance number, etc.) to receive his additional $170.
Sarah’s story
Sarah, a 43-year-old nurse, is entitled to a $3,201 tax refund from Revenu Québec.
Three weeks after filing her tax return, she receives a text message stating that Revenu Québec could not deposit the amount into her account, as the banking information she had provided appeared to be invalid.
She was asked to confirm her banking information by clicking on a link or calling the number provided.
Youri’s story
Youri, a 77-year-old retiree, receives a phone call informing him that audits have revealed that he has unpaid taxes of $1,445.
The caller, posing as a police officer, asks him to make the payment immediately to avoid being fined or having a warrant issued for his arrest.
Obviously, the email, text message and phone call that William, Sarah and Youri received were fraudulent.
Do you receive such communications?
Or other communications that seem suspicious? Don't fall into the trap!
Governments do not ask for personal information by email, text message or telephone, nor do they threaten arrest. If you are solicited in this way, do not respond or click on the links included in the messages.
And don't trust the number on your phone's call display: some software programs can be used to change real phone numbers.
What to do if you fall into the trap?
- Call 911 or the nearest police station.
- Report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Notify credit monitoring agencies :
Equifax : 1 888 465-7166 TransUnion : 1 877 713-3393
- Notify the Canada Revenue Agency or your provincial government (Quebec: Revenu Québec).
Useful links
- Scram prevention and the CRA
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- The Little Black Book of Scams (Competition Bureau Canada)
- Don’t take the bait (Revenu Québec)
- Equifax
- TransUnion