Reporting suspected fraud or scam

What this department does

This number is for reporting suspected fraud that uses the CRA’s name: phone scams, phishing email, fraudulent texts, fake letters, or identity theft involving a tax account. Agents take information about the scam. They do not process tax returns or set up payment plans.

This toll-free line assists with:

• CRA phone scams
• Phishing emails pretending to be CRA
• Fraudulent text messages
• Identity theft involving CRA
• Suspicious CRA correspondence

Why to call this department

• Someone claimed to be CRA and demanded immediate payment by gift card, crypto, or a money transfer.
• You received an email, text, or website that copies CRA branding and asks for a password or SIN.
• You think your My Account or tax file was used without your permission.
• You want to report a suspicious callback number that is not in this directory.

Why you may have received a call from this number

• You may receive a return call after you reported a scam to this line.
• This department does not cold-call people to threaten arrest or ask for gift-card payments.
• If the person who called you is the one asking for money, do not treat that inbound call as this reporting line. Hang up and dial the published number yourself.
• A missed call from this number after you already filed a fraud report can be a genuine follow-up.

Have this ready before you call

• The date, time, and phone number or email of the suspected scam
• What the caller or message asked you to do
• Whether you shared personal information or sent money
• Screenshots or the exact wording of the message, if you still have them

Other things to know

• CRA will not threaten arrest, deportation, or immediate account seizure over the phone and then demand gift cards.
• After you report a scam, also watch your tax refunds and My Account for unexpected changes.
• Use the verify tool on this site to check a callback number before you return any call.

Related CRA numbers

• Individual tax enquiries (provinces) 1-800-959-8281
• Business enquiries (provinces) 1-800-959-5525
• Benefit enquiries 1-800-387-1193
• Debt management and payment arrangements 1-877-362-1319