Verify It’s the CRA Calling

Verify CRA Contact Numbers: How to Confirm It’s Really the Canada Revenue Agency

Scammers often impersonate government agencies such as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to steal personal or financial information. If you receive a phone call claiming to be from the CRA, it’s important to verify the contact number before you provide any sensitive data or call back. The CRA provides official guidance on how to confirm whether a caller is truly a CRA representative.

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What to Expect When CRA Calls

An official CRA agent will always identify themselves with a name and provide a callback phone number. Do not rely on caller ID alone, as numbers can be spoofed to look legitimate. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be CRA, ask them for:

• Their full name
• Their office location
• Their callback number

After collecting this information, politely end the call and use official CRA resources to confirm the number.

How to Confirm a CRA Phone Number

CRA offers an online verification tool where you can input “1” followed by the 10-digit phone number you were given. This confirms whether the number is listed by the CRA. Never verify or confirm a number while still on the phone with the caller.

Verify via CRA’s Official Contact List

You can also cross-check a callback number against the official list of CRA phone numbers published on the Canada.ca contact page. If a number appears on this list, it is more likely to be legitimate; however, scammers can still spoof legitimate numbers, so always be cautious.

When You’re Still Unsure

If you remain uncertain whether a call was legitimately from the CRA after using the tools above, you can:

• Call CRA at its official general enquiries numbers
• Log in to your secure CRA account to check for messages
• Review any recent letters sent by mail from the CRA

Always use only official Canada.ca sources to verify contact details.

Protect Yourself Against Scams

Remember that legitimate CRA contacts may occur by mail, secure CRA messages, or occasionally by phone for specific issues, but CRA will never pressure you to pay immediately using unusual payment methods or demand personal financial information without proper verification. Always confirm the contact first before responding.

Need More Help?

If you suspect fraud or have already shared personal information with someone claiming to be from the CRA, report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and contact CRA directly using the official contact numbers listed on Canada.ca. Stay alert to protect your tax information.

Additional Read: FREE income tax clinic

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