Tax scams in Canada: Introduction
We’re approaching tax season and income tax scams in Canada are rampant. It’s more than just the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that wants your money. Income tax scams in Canada are big business and it seems that every day there’s a new scam designed to fool you into giving up your information and ultimately your money. Don’t let your guard down because these fraudsters are good.
We regularly warn our readers about scams in blogs such as:
- BEWARE OF PHISHING AND SPEAR PHISHING SCAMS
- VAUGHAN DEBT COUNSELLING ADVISES BEWARE OF TAX SEASON SCAMS
- CANADA REVENUE AGENCY SCAMS: IF YOU READ ONE ARTICLE, READ THIS ONE
- #VIDEO-CRA PHONE SCAM: IF YOU WATCH ONLY 1 VIDEO, WATCH THIS ONE#
- ARE YOU UP ON THE LATEST PHISHING SCAMS? YOU SHOULD BE!
- #VIDEO-TOP CONSUMER SCAMS TO WATCH FOR IN 2017#
Tax scams in Canada: How to recognize a rip-off
If you receive any sort of communication from the CRA – telephone, mail, email, text message – requesting personal information such as your social insurance number, credit card information, bank account number or passport number, it’s a scam. The CRA will never:
- ask for personal information of any kind by email or text message
- request payments by prepaid credit cards
- give taxpayer information to another person, unless you give formal authorization
- leave personal information on an answering machine
- send email with a link and ask you to divulge personal or financial information (There is one exception: If you call the CRA to ask for a form or a link for specific information, a CRA agent will send an email containing links)
Tax scams in Canada: How to protect yourself
- Never give out personal information via the email, text, voice mail or Internet
- Guard your passwords, IDs, PINs and access codes
- Do your due diligence when selecting a tax preparer. Preferably get a referral from a trusted source
- Shred unwanted documents
Tax scams in Canada: What to do if you’re a victim
Many people don’t report these types of crimes because they’re ashamed. Don’t be! If you suspect you may be the victim of fraud or tricked into giving personal or financial information, contact your local police service.
Tax scams in Canada: Are you experiencing financial hardship?
People land in financial hardship for many reasons. If you’re experiencing financial hardship and are looking for a way out, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. With immediate action and the right plan for moving forward we can set you on a path to debt free living Starting Over, Starting Now. All it takes is one phone call.
