Tax
Protecting Yourself from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Scam Calls
February 18, 2025
We’ve all been there: the phone rings, a serious-sounding voice on the other end claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and suddenly you owe thousands in back taxes or face immediate legal action for some form you didn’t know you had to fill out. Your heart is in your throat, your throat is in your head, and panic has set into your bones. But before you head out of the house to buy and mail a dozen App Store gift cards to some strange PO box, take a deep breath (or two). It’s highly likely you’re dealing with a scam.
CRA scam calls are a persistent problem, preying on fear and confusion to trick Canadians out of their hard-earned money. These scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder to distinguish a real call from a fake one. At SKOW, we know that knowledge is power - by understanding how these scams work and what red flags to look out for, you can protect yourself from falling victim.
A lot of the typical phone scams you hear about involve people calling up random numbers and seeing how far they can push the situation with you over the phone. In their ideal world, the phone scammer uses social engineering (a.k.a. a hacker’s best friend) » to convince you to divulge confidential information they don’t already have, such as the answers to your security questions for your CRA or bank account.
Most fraudulent calls often follow a similar script (sometimes literally):
Urgent and/or Threatening Tone:
Scammers use aggressive language, claiming you’re under investigation, owe money immediately, or face arrest if you don’t comply. They aim to create a sense of urgency, preventing you from thinking clearly.
Demands for Immediate Payment:
Fraudulent actors often pressure you to pay using unconventional methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These methods are difficult to trace, making it harder to recover your money.
Requests for Personal Information:
They may ask for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), business number (BN), bank account details, or other sensitive information.
Phony Phone Numbers:
Scammers often use technology to mask their real phone number and display a fake one that appears to be from the CRA or even just a local number. Your caller ID is not always reliable in these cases. This can also apply for text messages (and emails)!
Non-Compliance:
Typically, if a phone scammer realizes you aren’t going to pay them (or aren’t able to), they will likely try to end the call unless they are still after your personal information or have ulterior motives.
Now that you understand the modus operandi of the phone scammer, it’s time to dive into some specific behaviours of these con artists.
How do you spot a scammer? Most regular folks don’t look or sound like they are trying to steal your money or personal data. While it can be harder if the deceiver has been trying to con you over a long period of time*, there are still things you can watch (and listen) for:
Unexpected Calls:
The CRA rarely contacts taxpayers by phone about tax issues unless you’ve already been in contact with them. Be suspicious of unsolicited calls, especially if the person on the other end does not provide specific context for their call. CRA employees will identify themselves and the reason for their call.
Demands for Unusual Payment Methods:
The CRA will never ask you to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Legitimate tax payments are made through established channels: for example, bill payments through your bank or the other options outlined on the CRA’s website here »
Aggressive and Intimidating Behaviour:
A real CRA agent will be professional and courteous, even when discussing sensitive matters. Scammers use fear tactics to pressure you.
Requests for Personal Information over the Phone:
The CRA already has your SIN and other personal information. They will never ask you to verify it over the phone. As a general privacy rule, never provide this information plainly over the phone.
Inability to Verify Credentials:
If you’re unsure about the caller’s identity, ask for their name, employee ID, and phone number. Then, hang up and call the CRA directly at their official number (1-800-959-8281 ») to verify.
*Note: if you think you are the victim of targeted fraud we recommend contacting the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 » and, depending on the scope and nature of the scam, you may also want to contact your local authorities so they can investigate, monitor, and document things. We’ve included website and phone information for the relevant authorities in Alberta, Canada down below »
With technological advances, protecting (and educating) yourself is becoming more and more important as the people looking to defraud you have more tools at their disposal than ever to deceive you - such as phone number spoofing, voice modulation, or even using publicly available information (ie. postal codes, address, emails) to try and convince you.
Here are some helpful steps to protect yourself and others from phone scams year round:
Be Skeptical:
If you receive a call that seems suspicious, err on the side of caution. Don’t provide any personal information or make any payments.
Hang Up:
The best course of action is often to simply hang up the phone. Don’t engage with the caller, as they could still be trying to manipulate you into giving away your personal information.
Verify Directly:
If you’re concerned about the legitimacy of the call, contact the CRA directly at their official number. Explain the situation and they can confirm whether they’ve tried to contact you.
Report the Scam:
Report any suspected scam calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501 » or online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca ». Reporting scams helps authorities track these activities and warn others.
Educate Yourself and Others:
Tens of thousands (34,621 in 2024 ») of Canadians are victims of fraud each year, meaning approximately 1 in every 1,000 Canadians are impacted directly (and these are only the reported fraud events we know about!). Talk to your family, friends, and neighbours about CRA scams. Sharing information like this can help protect those who are more vulnerable.
Monitor Your Accounts Regularly:
To help spot and address suspicious activity, make sure you are checking your physical mailbox and CRA My Account for notices throughout the year.
At the end of the day, there is more to gain by hanging up the phone and confirming the validity of the caller than there is by giving away your personal and confidential data over the phone. Remember that the CRA is here to help you meet your tax obligations, not to intimidate you. By staying informed and being cautious, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams and keep your hard-earned money safe!
Not sure if what you’re dealing with is a scam? Drop us a line at hello@skow.ca or call +1 587-480-7369.
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