March is Fraud Prevention Month—the Canada Revenue Agency reminds Canadians to protect themselves against fraud

Ottawa, Ontario, March 6, 2013… March is Fraud Prevention Month across Canada and around the world, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is reminding Canadians to protect themselves against fraud.

Fraud comes in many different forms and it is important that Canadians are aware of fraudulent schemes out there to best protect themselves against fraud. Remember that the CRA will not send information about your personal refunds or benefit payments by email, will not ask for personal information by email, and will not leave any personal information on an answering machine. Canadians who receive an email or a phone call of this nature should not respond to it and should call the CRA right away.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, the CRA urges you to notify your financial institution and the local police.

Fraud Prevention Month also offers an opportunity for the CRA to remind Canadians that some individuals are selling tax scams that have serious legal consequences. No matter how tempting it might be to believe that you don’t have to pay any taxes, Canadians are urged to remember the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

While Canadians do their part to protect themselves against fraud, the CRA will continue to provide the highest level of security to protect Canadian taxpayers’ information and to build on our proud tradition of employee integrity and professionalism.

The Harper Government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and their personal financial security. Ensuring that Canadians are well informed to prevent fraud supports Canadian families and their personal financial security.

For more information on how to protect yourself against fraud, please visit our Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/fraudprevention.

FRAUD: Recognize It. Report It. Stop It.


Canada Revenue Agency

This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.