CRA Scam goes online

The Canada Revnue Scam is rearing its ugly teeth again, but this time, it’s online.

Windsor Police are receiving calls about the online scam – which promises a tax return of roughly $400. A very detailed and real-looking website is being disseminated as a link via text message. A form pops up, where you enter your name, date of birth, and credit card info. And it’s all a scam.

"When you look at these two sites, there is virtually no difference in appearance,” says Windsor Police Const. Shane Miles of the financial crimes unit. “But the substance is different.”

Though the sites look identical to the naked eye, there is one difference. The Web address bar of the real site reads: “cra-arc.gc.ca” whereas the fake one says “refund-online.cragov.ca/revenue//menu-eng.php.”

Const. Miles says the public needs to remain vigilant and know the CRA doesn’t solicit personal information.

“Be aware of phone spoofing and remember that the CRA would notify you of outstanding debt by registered mail,” he says.

Over the past few years, police believe hundreds of people across the country have fallen victim to the phone scam, losing tens of millions of dollars. Police equate it to fishing: if the scammers can catch one person per hundred, it will continue to be worth their time.

Const. Miles hopes the more we talk about it with loved ones and friends, the less people will fall victim.

“If you overfish a hole, the fish are going to leave."

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Police provide these links for more information:

The REAL website will not change.  Visit the REAL CRA website for more information on how to protect yourself against fraud: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/scrty/frdprvntn/menu-eng.html

Remember that you don't have to call us unless you fell victim to the fraud and incurred a loss.  If you would like to provide our Financial Crime Branch with information on the encounter with the scammer you can email them at [e-mail]