Tax Scams
There are a number of scammers contacting taxpayers around Canada and scaring them into believing they owe the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) money. This tax scam has been around for years now.
These scammers claim that if the amounts owing are not paid, taxpayers bank accounts will be seized, social insurance cards will be cancelled and they will even be arrested for tax evasion. Some tax scammers ask that taxpayers put money on prepaid credit cards, gift cards, and even iTunes cards and provide the activation codes.
Recently, a wave of emails have been received by Canadians that tell you there are benefit, credits, or refunds owed to you, and to claim them you must sign onto the CRA website and fill out forms. The website link provided is not the proper CRA web address, but a fake address. If taxpayers were to input their social insurance numbers, and their passwords on this website, a scammer will then have access to your CRA records, and your social insurance number.
Below you will see an example of a fake CRA website which shows it is a tax scam.
If you receive a phone call, or an email that sounds suspicious, and you think it is a tax scam, hang up and call CRAs general line. Ask them to confirm it is CRA who is contacting you. If you are still unsure, contact R&A Tax Law and we will assist you in determining whether you have a real issue with CRA, or whether the contact was a tax scam.
If you have been the victim of a tax scam, please go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website for more information about the next steps available to you.
CRA Resources
Protect Yourself Against Fraud
**Disclaimer
This article provides information of a general nature only. It does not provide legal advice nor can it or should it be relied upon. All tax situations are specific to their facts and will differ from the situations in this article. If you have specific legal questions you should consult a lawyer.
Kendal Steele