Tax season is prime time for phishing scams and frauds, with cybercriminals especially active this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian taxpayers should be vigilant when receiving emails, text messages or even phone calls regarding their tax returns or their bills. Scammers often emphasize the need for immediate action in hopes of tricking unsuspecting victims into confirming private information, making payments, or even accepting a refund.
If you receive a call or online message claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or any other government, financial institution, or service provider, never reveal personal information. Avoid replying to the message and do not click on any links provided. In the case of a phone call, hang up. You can always double-check the validity of the claims by directly contacting the organization in question.