The CRA will not send text messages, or instant messages (Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp) to start a conversation with you under any circumstances.
If you receive a text or instant message purporting to be from the CRA, prompting you to click on a link or requesting information, you can safely delete it.
When might the CRA send me a text message?
The only time the CRA will send you a text is as a part of multi-factor authentication for sign-in services. If you signed up for multi-factor authentication by phone or online, you would receive a one-time passcode whenever you log into your CRA account. NEVER divulge your multi-factor authentication code to anyone, even somebody purporting to be a CRA agent.
How to identify CRA letter mail scams
Scam letters sent through Canada Post have been used for quite some time and may look very convincing. The most effective way to determine whether a letter claiming to be from the CRA is a scam is to pay attention to what the letter is asking you to do.
As with other types of CRA scams, criminals are looking to scare Canadians into paying fake fines through untraceable payment methods. The CRA will never ask to set up a meeting in a public place to take payment. And again, they will never demand payment by Interac e-transfer, cryptocurrency, prepaid credit cards, or gift cards.
What to do if you believe you have been the victim of a scam
If you receive a phone call from the CRA and are unsure, you can protect yourself by hanging up and contacting the CRA at the numbers below.
If you suspect that you have fallen prey to a scam or have disclosed personal information to a scammer, take immediate action and report it.
- Report the fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website and follow the reporting procedure.
- Inform your local law enforcement agency, financial institutions, and relevant credit bureaus.
- If you suspect any unauthorized changes to your banking, address, personal or business information, or a benefits application has been made without your knowledge, contact the CRA at either of these numbers. For personal inquiries, call 1-800-959-8281. For businesses, call 1-800-959-5525.
You should also contact our office immediately so we can help.