CRA Warns of Scam Text Messages Promising Tax Returns via E-Transfers
The CRTC is again reminding Canadians of scam text messages around tax season, specifically those that indicate an Interac e-transfer is coming for your tax return.
📱Got a text message saying that the @CanRevAgency is sending you an e-transfer for your tax return?
Don't click the link! Be smarter than the scammer. 😀 pic.twitter.com/PZ17nCO5aO
— CRTCeng (@CRTCeng) April 9, 2021
While tech-savvy Canadians can spot a fake scam text, it’s all about playing the odds for scammers, as some will fall for the bait. Fraud texts will likely send you to a website asking you to log into your bank, thus stealing your credentials.
According to the CRA’s website, “taxpayers should be vigilant when they receive, either by telephone, mail, text message or email, a fraudulent communication that claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requesting personal information such as a social insurance number, credit card number, bank account number, or passport number.”
The CRA says it will never “demand immediate payment by Interac e-transfer, bitcoin, prepaid credit cards or gift cards from retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, or others.” The federal agency will also never threaten you with “aggressive language” or the threat of calling the police, nor leave voicemails threatening you for your information.