Sep 29, 2026 · @sh
Post 1: Is that call really from the CRA? How to spot a CRA scam
SEO title: Is That Call Really From the CRA? How to Spot a CRA Phone Scam Slug: cra-phone-scam Meta description: The real CRA never demands gift cards, crypto or e-transfers, and never threatens arrest. Here’s how to check a CRA call in two minutes.
The phone rings. A serious voice says it’s the Canada Revenue Agency. You owe back taxes, and if you don’t pay today, the police are on their way.
It’s one of the oldest phone scams in Canada, and it still works because it uses real fear: nobody wants trouble with the tax office. The good news is that a fake CRA call is easy to spot once you know what the real CRA does and doesn’t do.
What the real CRA will never do
According to the CRA’s own fraud guidance, the CRA will never:
- Demand immediate payment by e-transfer, cryptocurrency, prepaid credit cards or gift cards
- Threaten you with arrest, deportation or sending the police
- Leave a voicemail with your personal or financial information
- Email or text you a link to your refund
If a caller does any of these things, you can hang up. You don’t need to be polite, and you don’t need to “just check” anything they ask.
What a real CRA call sounds like
The CRA does sometimes call people. A real CRA employee will give you their name and a callback number. They won’t rush you, and they won’t mind if you hang up to check.
Red flags checklist
- The caller is angry, urgent or threatening
- You’re told not to hang up, or not to tell anyone
- They ask for your SIN, banking details or passwords
- They want payment in gift cards, Bitcoin or by e-transfer
- The call is a recorded message telling you to “press 1”
- The caller ID shows a government name or number (this can be faked, see below)
Caller ID can lie
Scammers can make any name or number appear on your screen. This is called spoofing. A call that shows “Canada Revenue Agency” or a real government number can still be fake. Never trust caller ID alone.
How to check a CRA call in two minutes
- Hang up. Don’t call back the number that called you.
- Sign in to your CRA account (My Account). Real balances and messages from the CRA appear there.
- Call the CRA yourself using the official number: individuals 1-800-959-8281 (provinces) or 1-866-426-1527 (territories); businesses 1-800-959-5525 (provinces) or 1-866-841-1876 (territories).
- If there’s no debt in your account and the CRA has no record of the call, it was a scam.
Already paid or shared information?
Act quickly: call your bank, then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 and your local police. See our step-by-step guide: What to do if you gave information to a scammer [link to Post 5].
Got a call like this?
Look up the number on CallCheck and report it. One tap warns the next person who gets the same call.
Sources: Canada Revenue Agency — Fraud Prevention Month: How to recognize fraud, scams and tax schemes; CRA scam alerts.
Post 2: The “bank investigator” scam: when your bank calls about fraud
SEO title: “Your Card Was Compromised”: How the Bank Investigator Scam Works Slug: bank-investigator-scam Meta description: A caller says they’re from your bank’s fraud team and needs your card, a code or a transfer. Here’s how the bank investigator scam works and how to stop it.
The caller ID shows your bank’s name. The person on the line knows the first few digits of your card. They say there’s suspicious activity on your account and they need your help to catch the criminal.
It feels like your bank protecting you. It’s actually the bank investigator scam, one of the scams the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) warns about most.
How the scam works
The caller pretends to be from your bank, the police, Amazon or a credit agency. They tell you your account has been compromised, then ask you to “help the investigation” in one of these ways:
- Read them a code your bank just texted or emailed you. This is your multi-factor authentication (MFA) code, and it lets them into your account.
- Give them remote access to your computer so they can “investigate”. They then show you fake fraudulent transactions.
- Add a new payee or send an e-transfer to a “safe account”.
- Hand over your card. A “courier” comes to your home to pick up your debit or credit card, sometimes after asking you to cut it in half without damaging the chip.
Why it’s convincing
- Spoofed caller ID. Scammers can make your bank’s real phone number appear on your screen. The CAFC says not to assume the number on your display is accurate.
- Card digits. They may read you the first 4 to 6 digits of your card. Those digits only identify the bank that issued it, so anyone can guess them.
- Urgency. You’re told to act now, before the “criminals” empty your account.
What your real bank won’t do
- Ask for the code it just sent you
- Send someone to your home to collect your card
- Ask you to move money to another account to keep it safe
- Threaten you over the phone
How to protect yourself
- Hang up and call the number on the back of your card. Don’t use a number the caller gives you. If possible, call from a different phone, or wait a few minutes first.
- Never share an MFA code with anyone, even someone who says they’re from your bank.
- Never give remote access to your computer to someone who called you.
- Turn on Interac e-Transfer Autodeposit so you don’t need to share security answers.
Already shared a code or your card?
Call your bank’s fraud line right away to freeze your cards and accounts. Then report it to the CAFC and your local police. Our guide What to do if you gave information to a scammer [link to Post 5] walks you through every step.
Check the number
Got a “fraud department” call? Look up the number on CallCheck to see if others reported it, and add your report.
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Bank investigator.
Post 3: How to join Canada’s National Do Not Call List (and what it won’t stop)
SEO title: How to Register on Canada’s National Do Not Call List (DNCL) Slug: national-do-not-call-list-canada Meta description: Registering on Canada’s National Do Not Call List is free, takes two minutes and never expires. Here’s how, which callers are still allowed, and why scammers ignore it.
Tired of sales calls about duct cleaning and home security? Canada has a free list that tells telemarketers to leave you alone: the National Do Not Call List (DNCL), run by the CRTC.
It won’t stop every unwanted call, but it cuts down legitimate telemarketing, and it gives you a way to complain when a company breaks the rules.
How to register
It’s free. Choose one:
- Online: lnnte-dncl.gc.ca
- By phone: 1-866-580-DNCL (1-866-580-3625). Call from the phone number you want to register.
- TTY: 1-888-DNCL-TTY (1-888-362-5889)
You can register home, cell and fax numbers.
How long does it take?
Telemarketers have 31 days to update their lists after you register, so you may still get some calls during the first month.
Do I need to renew?
No. According to the DNCL FAQ, once you register, your number stays on the list permanently.
Who can still call you
These callers are exempt and may still call after you register:
- Registered Canadian charities
- Political parties and candidates
- Market research and polling firms
- Newspapers selling subscriptions
- Companies you already do business with: you bought, leased or rented something from them in the last 18 months, or asked them a question in the last 6 months
You can ask any of these callers to put you on their own do-not-call list. They have to respect that request.
What the DNCL won’t stop: scammers
The DNCL only works for companies that follow the law. Scammers, robocall fraud rings and fake “CRA” or “bank” callers don’t check the list, so registering won’t stop them.
One more warning: the DNCL is free. If someone calls offering to register you for a fee, it’s a scam. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
How to complain about a telemarketer
If a telemarketer calls after your 31 days are up, you can file a complaint online or by phone (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Write down the date, time, company name and phone number. Companies that break the rules can be fined up to $1,500 per violation for individuals and $15,000 per violation for corporations.
Stop the rest
For scam calls the list can’t block, see How to block spam calls on iPhone and Android [link to Post 4], and look up unknown numbers on CallCheck before you call back.
Sources: National DNCL — Register your number; National DNCL — FAQ.
Post 4: How to block spam calls on iPhone and Android
SEO title: How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone and Android (Canada Guide) Slug: block-spam-calls-iphone-android Meta description: Step-by-step: block a number, screen unknown callers on iPhone, turn on spam filtering on Android, and use your Canadian carrier’s free call-blocking tools.
You can’t stop scammers from dialing, but you can stop most of their calls from ringing. Your phone already has the tools. Here’s how to turn them on.
iPhone
Block one number
- Open the Phone app and go to Recents.
- Tap the ⓘ next to the number.
- Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
Screen or silence unknown callers
- Go to Settings > Apps > Phone. (On older iOS versions, it’s Settings > Phone.)
- Tap Screen Unknown Callers and choose:
- Ask Reason for Calling: the caller is asked why they’re calling before your phone rings. Good balance for most people.
- Silence: calls from numbers not in your contacts go straight to voicemail.
- Never: all calls ring as normal.
Tip: if you choose Silence, save your doctor, pharmacy, kids’ school and delivery services as contacts so you don’t miss them. Apple notes that call screening doesn’t work while roaming.
Android (Phone by Google)
Most Android phones, including Pixel and many Samsung and Motorola models, use the Phone by Google app.
Turn on spam protection
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap More options (⋮) > Settings > Caller ID and spam.
- Turn on See caller ID & spam.
- Turn on Filter spam calls to stop suspected spam from ringing.
Block one number
- Go to Recents.
- Tap and hold the call, or tap it once.
- Tap Block / report spam.
Samsung phones with the Samsung Phone app have similar options under Phone > Settings > Block numbers and Caller ID and spam protection.
Your carrier’s tools
Many Canadian carriers now offer free spam-filtering features. For example, TELUS offers a free Call Control feature for mobile that screens robocallers. Check your carrier’s website or app, or call customer service and ask what call-blocking options come with your plan.
Stop the legal ones too
Telemarketers that follow the law must respect Canada’s National Do Not Call List. Registering is free and permanent. See How to join the National Do Not Call List [link to Post 3].
Before you call back an unknown number
Look it up on CallCheck first. If others have reported it as a scam or robocall, block it and move on. If it called you, add your report to warn the next person.
Sources: Apple — Manage unknown callers on iPhone; Apple — Screen and block calls on iPhone; Google — Use caller ID & spam protection; TELUS — Call Control for mobile devices.
Before publishing: check the Samsung menu names on your own phone and add a screenshot or two. Screenshots help readers and search ranking.
Post 5: Gave information to a scammer? What to do right now (Canada)
SEO title: Gave Your Info to a Phone Scammer? What to Do Right Now in Canada Slug: what-to-do-if-scammed-canada Meta description: Shared your card, banking details or SIN with a scammer? Follow these steps in order: your bank, police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, credit bureaus and Service Canada.
It happens to careful, smart people every day. Scammers are professionals, and they’re good at making you feel rushed and scared. If you’ve shared information or sent money, don’t be embarrassed. Act fast. The first hour matters most.
These steps follow the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s guide for fraud victims.
Step 1: Call your bank (right now)
Use the number on the back of your card or on your bank’s official website, not a number the scammer gave you.
- Tell them what happened and ask them to freeze or cancel your cards and stop any pending transfers.
- Change your online banking password and any other password you shared.
- If you gave someone remote access to your computer, stop using it for banking until it’s checked.
Step 2: Write everything down
While it’s fresh, collect:
- The phone number that called you and the time of the call
- What they said and what you gave them
- Receipts, transaction numbers, emails and text messages
You’ll need these for every report below.
Step 3: Report to the police
Report it to your local police and ask for a file number. Banks and credit bureaus often ask for it.
Step 4: Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Report online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca or call 1-888-495-8501 (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern). Your report helps police link cases together.
Step 5: Contact both credit bureaus
If you shared your SIN, date of birth or ID, someone could open credit in your name. Call both credit bureaus and ask to add a fraud alert to your file:
- Equifax Canada: 1-800-465-7166
- TransUnion Canada: 1-800-663-9980
Then check your credit reports for accounts or credit checks you don’t recognize.
Step 6: If you gave out your SIN
Follow Service Canada’s SIN fraud steps: police report, anti-fraud centre report, credit bureaus, and a close watch on your credit. If your SIN was used to claim government benefits, report it to that program directly.
A new SIN is not automatic. Service Canada notes that it doesn’t erase or protect your old number, and approval isn’t guaranteed.
Step 7: Tell the government agencies involved
- Canada Revenue Agency: 1-800-959-8281, if the scam involved the CRA or your tax account
- Service Canada: 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
Watch out for “recovery” scams
After a scam, you may get calls offering to get your money back for a fee. These are almost always the same criminals, or others who bought your details. Real police and banks don’t charge to recover money.
Warn the next person
Look up the number that called you on CallCheck and report it. Your report could stop someone else from losing money today.
Sources: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — What to do if you’re a victim of fraud; Service Canada — SIN fraud and data breach.