New ‘CRA’ Scams in Town: Learn How to Spot Them.

Scamming is not a new ‘profession’; however, the methods employed have evolved significantly. The advent of technology allows scammers to reach more people, increase their profits, and operate with greater anonymity and efficiency than ever before. It’s safe to say we are currently living in a golden age of scams, with deceptive practices emerging everywhere.

Recently, our team at GTA Muslims Today reported a warning from the Peel Regional Police regarding a gang of scammers who hijacked the official police phone number to extort money from residents.

Considering this, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has also issued an important warning for Canadians. Their alert, titled “Know When to Be Suspicious,” guides individuals in recognizing scams where individuals impersonate revenue officials.

One common scam involves text messages promising tax refunds. Given that tax season has just concluded, this tactic is particularly prevalent right now. The CRA emphasizes that it will only issue refunds through official channels, such as direct deposit to your bank account or a cheque mailed to your home. They do not request payment via e-transfer or phone, nor do they accept payments in cryptocurrency, prepaid credit cards, or retail gift cards. Payments should always be made securely, for instance, through CRA My Payment or by adding a bill payee in some banks and credit unions. The traditional method of mailing a cheque is still an option.

The CRA assures the public that it will not threaten arrest or hold public meetings to collect payments. Most importantly, they will never ask for personal or financial information via voicemail or email.

While the CRA does contact taxpayers by phone, automated messages, or email, this communication is typically initiated by the taxpayer upon request. For example, the CRA may send a text as part of their multi-factor authentication sign-in process, but this is strictly on request.

Deception #1: CRA Phone Calls.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a CRA agent asking for personal information or banking details, ask for their name, badge number, department, and phone number. Legitimate agents must provide this information. After they do, inform them you will call back later, and end the call. Don’t show fear, as scammers can exploit it. Once the call is over, verify the caller’s number on the official CRA website:https://bit.ly/3RHTyRK. Enter the number you received to confirm its legitimacy in just a few seconds.

Deception #2: Fake CRA Website.

Canadians should be cautious of fake websites that mimic legitimate web addresses. A clear indicator of a fraudulently constructed CRA domain is the presence of extra words, unusual endings like .info or .su, or oddly formatted abbreviations such as crra, c-ra, or revagency.

The official CRA website will always start with canada.ca or end with cra-arc.gc.ca. If it doesn’t, it’s a fake website. The CRA advises, “When in doubt, DO NOT CLICK!” Scammers typically attempt to trick users into clicking on malicious links or attachments. If you receive a suspicious message, contact the CRA directly for verification.

The Top 6 Current CRA Scams: 

1.       Tax Refund Scam: With tax season concluded, scammers are sending texts with the Government of Canada logo, claiming to be from the CRA and offering refunds through Interac e-transfer. Beware of separate messages containing links to fake bank sign-in portals. Recommended Action: Do not fill in any forms or provide information.

3.   Grocery Rebate Scam: Utilizing a previous CRA campaign title, scammers are claiming to offer a “grocery rebate” program, hoping to confuse it with the new ‘Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit’ program. Recommended Action: Avoid clicking links or replying to messages that request information. Always check Canada.ca for the latest federal government programs.
4.       Canada Pension Plan Scam: A fraudulent message may mention a recent tax assessment and instruct the recipient to respond with “Y” to resolve an issue. The scammer then provides a fake hyperlink related to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) that directs the individual to counterfeit Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and banking websites. On these sites, users are prompted to enter personal information, allowing the scammer to access their accounts later. Recommended Action: Do not respond and do not click on any link.
5.       Low-Income Seniors Scam: This scam targets seniors by claiming that the CRA is distributing additional payments to low-income individuals. Scammers create websites containing false information about benefits and may include links to join instant messaging groups on Telegram or WhatsApp. Recommended Action: The CRA advises seniors not to click on any links or join these groups. Instead, they should consult official federal government websites for accurate information.

5.       Identity Theft for Fake Tax Returns: Scammers may attempt to use personal information to file fraudulent tax returns and collect refunds. Signs of this scam may include receiving a CRA email indicating that your account has been modified, delays in receiving credit or refunds, or difficulties when filing your tax return online. Recommended Action: It’s important to check your account for unauthorized changes and contact the CRA immediately if you notice anything suspicious.

6.       Fake Charitable Donation Scam: The CRA regulates registered charities in Canada. Scammers may impersonate representatives from legitimate charities or solicit donations for fake charities to steal your money and/or personal information. Recommended Action: If you suspect a scam, you can report it by calling the CRA at 1-866-809-6841.

Stay vigilant and protect your personal information!

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