Real-Life Story
A local resident recently received a text message claiming they were entitled to a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax refund. The message included a link to "claim" the refund before it expired. After clicking the link, they were directed to a fake CRA website that requested banking information, credit card details, and their Social Insurance Number (SIN). Within days, unauthorized transactions appeared in their bank account..
How the Scam Works
Scammers send text messages, emails, or phone calls pretending to be the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). They claim you are owed a tax refund and must click a link or provide personal information to receive it.
The link typically leads to a fake website designed to look like the official CRA website. Once victims enter their information, scammers use it to steal money, commit identity fraud, or gain access to financial accounts.
Warning Signs
⚠️ Unexpected messages about a tax refund
⚠️ Urgent language such as "Claim Now" or "Refund Expires Today"
⚠️ Links that do not lead to the official CRA website
⚠️ Requests for banking information, credit card details, passwords, or your SIN
⚠️ Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or unusual formatting
⚠️ Messages sent from unknown phone numbers or email addresses
What To Do
✅ Do not click links in unexpected refund messages.
✅ Do not provide personal or financial information.
✅ Verify your tax information by logging into your CRA My Account directly through the official CRA website.
✅ Delete suspicious texts and emails.
✅ Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
Already Clicked The Link?
If you clicked the link or shared information:
Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately.
Change passwords for affected accounts.
Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.
Tech Tip of the week
Before clicking any link, press and hold it (on mobile) or hover over it (on desktop) to preview the destination. Scammers often use web addresses that look similar to legitimate government websites but contain extra words, numbers, or unusual spellings.
Quick Action Challenge
Take 2 minutes today to:
☑ Verify that multi-factor authentication is enabled on your important accounts.
☑ Discuss one recent scam with a family member.
☑ Save the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reporting website in your bookmarks.
Scammers often target seniors, newcomers, and individuals expecting tax refunds. Share this alert with friends, family members, coworkers, and community groups to help protect others from becoming victims.
Stay alert. Verify before you trust. When in doubt, go directly to the official source rather than clicking a link.
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