The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has warned Canadians of a new scam involving a rebate of $250 to create a phony organization. Fraudsters then send the victims an email, text message, or even call them, asking them to divulge their personal information and financial details. This is what you need to know about this scam as well as how you can keep yourself safe.
How the Scam Works?
The scammers impersonate an official from CRA and tell the recipients that they are eligible for a rebate of $250. Most of the time, such a communication contains:
- Urgent Terms: The target is told to act immediately to claim the rebate.
- Fake Site Links: The victim is taken to a fraudulent site that looks very much like the real one.
- Sensitive Information Requests: A request is made that victims disclose their SIN, bank information, or credit-card number.
- The moment the scammer has obtained this information, he can use it for identity theft purposes, financial fraud, or to illegally access bank accounts.
CRA’s Official Stance
The CRA has stated that it would not do the following:
- Use aggressive or urgent language.
- Lifecycle of email or text messages that include any clickable link for financial transactions.
- Request sensitive personal information of the user through unsecured channels.
- If you’ve received such communication, it most likely does not come from CRA. Always check and verify if the messages purporting to be from CRA are truly from them.
Tips to Protect Yourself
- Verify Messages: Call the CRA through the official phone numbers if you are doubtful about any communication that you receive.
- Don’t Click Links: Do not click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
- Safeguard Personal Information: Do not give away your SIN, bank account details, or credit card information if you have not verified the source.
- Reporting Fraudulent Activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to the CRA and your local police department.
- Educate Others: Communication of this information to relatives and friends will raise awareness even more.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe
This $250 rebate scam is just one amongst many different schemes intended to rip off Canadians. Stay smart, and stay informed, and you will be able to protect yourself and others from the claws of these fraudsters. Double-check the source of any financial communication, and never share personal information unless you are sure of its legitimacy.
