How to verify the CRA has contacted you

Do You Get Calls from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)?

No matter what nation you presently reside in, new scams are created every day. You must do all in your power as a taxpayer to be on guard and informed about such schemes. There is always a chance of getting fake communication when receiving calls, letters, texts, or emails. Your personal information, like your SIN, credit card number, and bank account number, may be demanded by these scammers. How can you tell if they are real or fake, though? Many Canadians have been considering this as frauds grow increasingly frequent and convincing-sounding. Threatening or intimidating behaviours can also be used in some fraud situations to make you feel fearful. To this point, it has become normal for CRA agents to encounter hesitancy and outright resistance while handling a valid claim.

How to verify that the caller is a CRA representative and not a fraudster? 

When contacting you, a real CRA person will introduce themselves. The worker will provide you with their name and contact information. Before you give up any information over the phone, make sure the caller is a CRA official. By doing this, you will avoid providing a fraudster with your money or personal information.

Inform the caller that you would like to confirm their identification first.

Obtain their:

Name

Phone number

Place of business

Why the CRA could call you

• The CRA may contact you if they have already written to you or in any of the following circumstances:
• A collections officer may contact you if you owe taxes or money to a government program to talk about your file and request payment. You might have to provide certain details regarding your financial condition in this instance.
• They may call you to request the missing return if you failed to file your income tax and benefit return.
• if your GST/HST return wasn’t submitted.
• If they have inquiries regarding the tax and benefit paperwork you supplied.
• They could get in touch with you if you run a small business to provide free tax assistance through their Liaison Officer program.
• if they have inquiries regarding the registration of your new business.
• if they have inquiries about a brief examination of your corporate return.

Whenever to be cautious or highly alerted

Among the warning signs that a caller is a con artist include (but are not limited to):

1. You are not given any evidence that the caller is an employee of the CRA, for instance, their name or place of business.
2. The caller is pushy or puts pressure on you to respond immediately.
3. The caller requests payment by bitcoin, gift cards, prepaid credit cards, or any other unique method of payment.
4. The caller requests information—such as a credit card number—that you would not provide on your tax return or that is unrelated to any money you owe the CRA.
5. The caller advises you to submit a benefits application. Direct-benefit applications can be made over the phone or via websites run by the Canadian government. Give no information to

Why will CRA contact you? 

If the CRA is examining your income tax and benefit return, it might be one reason they get in touch with you. A letter or phone call informing you that your income tax and benefit returns are being evaluated is possible. They will send you an email informing you that your message is visible in My Account if you have subscribed to email alerts. Most of the time, it’s just a standard inspection. It’s crucial that you respond and give all of the needed information as soon as you can. This will make it quick and simple for them to examine your file.

Conclusion 

This blog has covered the topic of how to verify that CRA has contacted you. Receiving calls, letters, messages, or emails always has the risk of becoming fraudulent communication. These con artists could ask for your personal information, like your SIN, credit card number, and bank account number. In fraud circumstances, intimidating or threatening behavior may also be utilized to instill fear in you. You could receive a letter or a call telling you that your income tax and benefit return is being reviewed. It’s often simply a routine inspection. You must answer as soon as you can and include all of the requested information. They will be able to review your file quickly and easily thanks to this. I hope now you will be able to identify and save yourself from any scam related to CRA.