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Brandon Blog Post

CANADA REVENUE AGENCY LOGIN: MASSIVE CREDENTIAL STUFFING CAUSES MANY PROBLEMS

The Ira Smith Team is totally operational and both Ira and Brandon Smith are here for a telephone consultation, conference calls, and virtual meetings.

Keep healthy and safe everybody.

Canada Revenue Agency login introduction

The Canada Revenue Agency login for its online services has been suspended after what became 3 separate cyberattacks. It ends up that the cyber assaults took place over a one week to 10 day period. The very first strike was the biggest, but, it was originally held under wraps. The news being reported last weekend was after the third strike.

Hackers utilized hundreds of swiped usernames and passwords to fraudulently acquire government services and compromise Canadians’ personal information. A data breach is never a good idea, yet this could not have actually come at a worse time.

The purpose of this Brandon’s Blog is to look at the Canada Revenue Agency login issues and what it means right now. It is not so much about debt issues. Rather, I combed through all publicly available information in order to do more of a public service announcement on this terrible event.

The Canada Revenue Agency login hack debacle

A total amount of 5,500 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) accounts were targeted in what the federal government defined as three credential stuffing strikes, in which cyberpunks make use of passwords as well as usernames from other Canadian information websites to access Canadians’ accounts with the CRA. The CRA has actually temporarily closed down the Canada Revenue Agency login for online services after it was hit by these 3 cyberattacks.

Both personal and business tax information accounts have been banged with numerous credential stuffing assaults. It appears that these strikes used passwords and also usernames accumulated from previous hacks of accounts elsewhere. It made use of the fact that many individuals reuse passwords and usernames throughout several accounts.

Credential stuffing is a form of cyberattack that relies on databases of peoples’ login info made readily available with previous data breaches. The hackers utilize that information to try to get to new databases, such as using the Canada Revenue Agency login online site.

The violations allowed hackers to apply for illegal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments. It also allowed them to get email addresses, other personal information to use for identity theft scams as well as bank account information. Presumably, the hackers can then go to your bank account and try the same username and password to see if they can steal your money too.

How do I know if I was impacted by the Canada Revenue Agency login data breach?

Government authorities claim Canadians impacted by the Canada Revenue Agency login cyber attack will be informed by the CRA this week whether their account was breached and also what to do about it.

A variety of Canadians might have currently received alerts from the CRA by e-mail or phone over the weekend, officials claim. An email has additionally been sent out to every EI recipient, stated Lori MacDonald, the chief operating officer with Service Canada.

Nonetheless, some Canadians have discovered the breaches themselves.

What do I do if the Canada Revenue Agency login hacking impacted me?

Anybody who has actually been affected will certainly be contacted by the CRA either by e-mail or by letter, which will clarify exactly how to reconfirm your identity as well as recover access to your account. The CRA and other federal authorities did not yet give details on what’s called for to reauthenticate a breached account.

As soon as reactivated, the account owner will certainly be motivated to add email alerts as an added security layer if they already did not have the alternative activated.

“These notifications act as an early warning to Canadians of potential breaches to their account,” said Annette Butikofer, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Information Technology, Government of Canada.

The federal government is cautioning Canadians not to recycle old passwords after the thousands of accounts involved in the Canada Revenue Agency login breach were targeted in a credential stuffing strike.

Those impacted will additionally want to contact their bank if they had direct deposit info included in their CRA My Account. They will want to make sure that there has been no irregular activity in their account and to change the username and password immediately.

Annette Butikofer sure has chutzpah over the Canada Revenue Agency login data breach

I am somewhat insulted and also embarrassed by the perspective taken by Annette Butikofer. She does not acknowledge that possibly CRA should have closed down the system after the first cyberattack. Why did CRA and Ms.Butikofer have to wait on 3 assaults? She likewise does not claim that our federal government should have had a far better system to protect against such a credential stuffing strike.

The credential stuffing cyberattack methodology has been understood for several years. To make it also worse, there has been credential stuffing cyber attacks on the United States government computer systems going in May 2020 surrounding COVID-19 benefits. Surely Ms. Butikofer knew of them and also could have executed new controls in May or June of this year to secure against the exact same type of assaults that came upon CRA in August 2020.

However, all she can appear to do is scold Canadians not to be so careless with utilizing common usernames and passwords. Just how about looking in the mirror to the person that did such poor work securing my personal details on the feds’ computer systems?

Even though there has been a Canada Revenue Agency login data breach, can I still apply for benefit programs?

The decision to briefly put on hold the CRA’s online access comes as numerous Canadians still need to get COVID-19 -related benefit programs, such as the fifth round of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

While on-line solutions are inaccessible, Canadians can still apply for programs like CERB, according to senior government authorities. Clearly this is not a perfect circumstance.

Canadians can use it by calling 1-800-959-8281. Canadians can additionally, still look for these benefits retroactively over the phone. Nonetheless, that contact number is a general number for all kinds of personal tax inquiries. Likewise, CRA has actually said that it is focusing on telephone calls from the victims of the strikes and is answering phone calls as promptly as feasible.

When calling the CRA, people can pick the report a suspected identity theft because of the Canada Revenue Agency login debacle alternative. This will presumably expedite their contact with a specialized representative suitably educated to handle these concerns.

Expedite may be a relative term. I am sure the wait time will be substantial. I sure hope they have some good music while people are on hold waiting.

The RCMP is now investigating the Canada Revenue Agency login breach

The RCMP is examining, and the federal Privacy Commissioner has been spoken to and informed about the hacking violations. As of August 15, 2020, it was uncertain what info had been gotten by the hackers.

CBC News reported that numerous Canadians say e-mail addresses associated with their CRA accounts had actually been altered, their bank payment details modified, and those COVID-19 support payments under the CERB had actually been released in their name even though they had never applied for the benefit.

Authorities are also now trying to establish the number of government services and just how much financial assistance was acquired fraudulently. The RCMP and the Privacy Commissioner have been called upon to examine the range and scope of individual information stolen. I am rather terrified to think about the extent of the theft of both private information of Canadian taxpayers and government funds.

Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has been promoting changes to the Privacy Act to make such breach immediate reporting mandatory. As it stands, government divisions just have to notify affected people in case of “material” breaches. Situations including the theft of sensitive personal details which fairly can be expected to create major injury or damage to people, such as this Canada Revenue Agency login breach, must qualify for reporting.

Canada Revenue Agency login breach summary

This Canada Revenue Agency login cyberattack is very scary. Our government has yet to say anything reassuring us as to what they are doing to protect our private information.

The Ira Smith Team’s family hopes you and your family are staying safe, healthy, and well-balanced. Our hearts go out to every person who has been affected either through inconvenience or personal family tragedy.

We are all citizens of Canada and we have to coordinate our efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Social distancing and self-quarantining are sacrifices that are not optional. Family members are literally separated from each other. We look forward to the time when things can return to something close to normal and we can all be together again physically.

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. has always employed clean and safe habits in our professional practice and continues to do so.

If you need financial help right now, feel confident that Ira or Brandon can still assist you. Telephone consultations and/or virtual conferences are readily available for anyone feeling the need to discuss their personal or company situation.

Are you now worried just how you or your business are going to survive? Those concerns are obviously on your mind. This pandemic situation has made everyone scared.

The Ira Smith Team understands these concerns. More significantly, we know the requirements of the business owner or the individual that has way too much financial debt. You are trying to manage these difficult financial problems and you are understandably anxious.

It is not your fault you can’t fix this problem on your own. The pandemic has thrown everyone a curveball. We have not been trained to deal with this. You have only been taught the old ways. The old ways do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team makes use of new contemporary ways to get you out of your debt problems while avoiding bankruptcy. We can get you debt relief now.

We look at your whole circumstance and design a strategy that is as distinct as you are. We take the load off of your shoulders as part of the debt settlement strategy we will draft just for you.

We understand that people facing money problems require a lifeline. That is why we can establish a restructuring procedure for you and end the discomfort you feel.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation. We will listen to the unique issues facing you and provide you with practical and actionable ideas you can implement right away to end the pain points in your life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

The Ira Smith Team is totally operational and both Ira and Brandon Smith are here for a telephone consultation, conference calls, and virtual meetings.

Keep healthy and safe everybody.

canada revenue agency login
canada revenue agency login
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Brandon Blog Post

#VIDEO-HIDING ASSETS IN BANKRUPTCY: HIDE AND SEEK WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES#

Hiding assets in bankruptcy is a huge mistake

When you are contemplating filing for bankruptcy, don’t believe that hiding assets in bankruptcy proceedings will work for you. A licensed insolvency trustee is very good at finding undisclosed property. And if you intentionally try to hide assets, you could face severe consequences.

Some people filing for bankruptcy think that if they don’t list property in their sworn statement of affairs, they can dupe the licensed insolvency trustee and keep the property. This is a huge mistake and illegal.

The first assessment

A licensed insolvency trustee does a full assessment of the person considering filing for bankruptcy, to decide if they can avoid bankruptcy. The Trustee will get a written statement from the debtor of his or her assets and liabilities.

In addition to requesting the person to list all of his or her assets, there will also be certain questions, such as:

  • Have you sold, disposed of, or transferred any assets in the past twelve months?
  • Have you sold or transferred any property in the past five years while you knew yourself to be insolvent, either in Canada or Elsewhere?
  • Have you made any gifts to a relative or other person that was of a value in excess of $500.00 in the past five years?
  • Have you received any lump sum payments or settlements in the last 12 months?

The purpose of these intake questions is so that the Trustee can get a full picture of the person’s situation, to give the best advice possible about using bankruptcy proceedings, or some other options that are available to the person as an alternative to and a way to avoid bankruptcy.

The Trustee’s analysis, which includes comparing the answers to these questions to, the person’s current budget of income and how they spend their money, their expenses, and the assets listed by them, may very well highlight inconsistencies, which will lead to more questions, and probably uncover the assets that the person is attempting to hide.

As part of the Trustee’s analysis, the Trustee will also want to look at some recent bank statements as well as your filed income tax return and notice of assessment for the previous year. There may very well be things jumping out of this review that will highlight inconsistencies, if someone is trying for hiding assets in bankruptcy.

Finally, the person’s creditors have a lot of information about the debtor’s financial affairs. Once the person files for bankruptcy, his or her creditors get notice of the bankruptcy and look at the disclosure on the sworn statement of affairs. If they are aware of an asset that has not been disclosed, I can guarantee you that they will call the Trustee to ask what about that other asset – and then tell the Trustee when they say, what are you talking about?

In a proposal filing we recently did, the person, in making an honest mistake, forgot to tell us of a piece of real estate they own with a sibling, bought for their mother to live in. The mother pays the running costs of the property. With all the stress the person was under, they sincerely forgot to tell us.

Once we mailed our notice to creditors, two days later a creditor emailed us asking what about the real estate, and supplied us with a title search to prove that the real estate is apparently half owned by our client! We then had to rework the proposal to account for this extra value.

So what if I just don’t list the asset(s) – will this work for hiding assets in bankruptcy?

If you think that hiding assets in bankruptcy is a good way to hang on to your property; think again. This is not a minor matter. In fact it’s a violation of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Criminal Code and it’s punishable by hefty fines and/or prison time.

Committing fraud against the government is never a good idea and the likelihood is that you will get caught. When the Trustee has reason to believe that an offence exists, we report it to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada (OSB). The Superintendent sends the file to one of its special investigation units.

The investigation units work closely with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The OSB encourages people to report fraudulent activities that relate to a bankruptcy file and they even have a toll-free number to call 1-877-376-9902. The OSB will encourage the RCMP to press criminal charges.

In addition to fines and/or prison time, if you are trying for hiding assets in bankruptcy:

  • You will not get a discharge of your debts
  • The Trustee can revoke your discharge and those debts cannot be discharged in future bankruptcies

Still think that hiding assets in bankruptcy is a good idea?

Honesty is always the best policy. If you make an honest mistake, just let your Trustee know, so they can figure out the best way to handle it.

If you are thinking of declaring bankruptcy, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver as soon as possible. We will guide you through the process and Starting Over, Starting Now get you well on your way to living a debt free life.

THIS VLOG WAS INSPIRED IN PART BY OUR eBOOK – PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY CANADA: Not because you are a dummy, because you need to get your life back on track

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Brandon Blog Post

CANADA REVENUE AGENCY SCAMS: IF YOU READ ONE ARTICLE, READ THIS ONE

canada revenue agency scams
canada revenue agency scams

Canada Revenue Agency scams

Canada Revenue Agency, or as it is also known, CRA, has noticed an increase in telephone scams where the caller claims to be from the CRA but is not, and is asking Canadians to beware. There is a CRA newsletter on the issue of Canada Revenue Agency scams and the fake Canada Revenue Agency scammers. These calls are fraudulent and could result in identity and financial theft, or vulnerable people being bullied into making a payment to a bogus Canada Revenue Agency officer. They will try to make you believe that the payment is going to a legitimate CRA account, but it isn’t. There is no such CRA program.

Canda Revenue Agency scams: Anyone is a target

Everyone is at risk of having their identity stolen and it’s easy to be taken in. Most people get a little nervous when they receive a phone call from the CRA; it’s like having a police car driving right behind you even if you’re not doing anything wrong. Recognizing the importance of warning the public about identity theft, we have already published several blogs on the subject:

Canada Revenue Agency scams: It will never happen to me, right?

A recent event prompted us to reach out and let you know that anyone can be a target. Ira Smith of Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. recently received a voicemail at home from someone claiming to be from CRA collections. Being a seasoned, professional trustee and aware of the recent uptick in identity fraud scams, Ira was immediately on guard when the caller asked him to have his SIN number ready for security purposes. Ira Googled the phone number that was left on the voicemail and sure enough, it was a scam.

Click below to listen to the CRA scam voicemail

Canda Revenue Agency scams: Do the RCMP know about this?

According to Corporal Josée Rousseau of the RCMP’s anti-fraud department, police first started seeing the scam two years ago. Callers work from boiler rooms and randomly phone people from purchased calling lists. They tell their victims they’re from Canada Revenue Agency, and they owe money in unpaid taxes. The RCMP also stated the callers are aggressive and often claim they will come to the victim’s house and arrest them if the money is not paid. They say many of the callers speak with a foreign accent and insist the money be paid immediately, either by credit card or via Western Union.

If you get a call from someone claiming to work for the CRA and want to confirm the authenticity of the call contact the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 for business-related calls and 1-800-959-8281 for individual calls. Or you can do as Ira did and Google the number and see what other people are reporting.

Canda Revenue Agency scams: Tips to identify possible scams

Here are some tips from the Canada Revenue Agency to help you identify possible tax scams:

The CRA:

  • never requests prepaid credit cards;
  • doesn’t ask for information about your passport, health card, or driver’s license;
  • does not share your taxpayer information with another person, unless you have provided the appropriate authorization; and
  • never leaves personal information on your answering machine or asks you to leave a message containing your personal information on an answering machine.

When in doubt, ask yourself the following:

  • Is there a reason that the CRA may be calling? Do I have a tax balance outstanding?
  • Is the requester asking for information I would not include on CRA forms with my tax return?
  • Is the requester asking for information I know the CRA already has on file for me?
  • How did the requester get my email address or telephone number?
  • Am I confident I know who is asking for the information?

If you have too much debt you need to take action NOW

Have you been a victim of identity theft or financial theft? If for any reason you’re facing serious financial difficulties, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today. We will review your file and take immediate action to get you back on a path towards debt-free living Starting Over, Starting Now.

Call a Trustee Now!