Tax scams: fake refunds and threats from the "CRA" or "IRS"
Tax time is scam season. A message says you are owed a refund you can claim in a click, or that you owe back taxes and will be arrested unless you pay right now. Both borrow the one badge most people are afraid to argue with.
The refund lure
You are told a refund is waiting, just confirm your details or bank information through this link. Tax agencies do not email or text links to claim a refund. Real refunds are issued through your normal account and direct deposit, with no need to "confirm" through a link.
The threat call
An aggressive call or voicemail says you owe money and will be arrested, deported, or sued unless you pay immediately, often by gift card, e-transfer, or crypto. No tax agency demands payment that way, and none threatens instant arrest by phone.
The fear and the deadline are the tools. Real tax matters arrive as letters and are handled through official accounts, not a rushed phone call.
How to check
Do not use the link or the number in the message. Log in to your official tax account yourself, or call the agency using the number on its real website. When in doubt, you can always hang up and verify; nothing bad happens because you checked.
The short version
- Tax agencies never email or text a link to claim a refund. The only text the CRA sends is a sign-in passcode you asked for, from a short code, with no link.
- They never demand gift cards, e-transfer, or crypto, and never threaten immediate arrest.
- Fear plus a deadline is the tell.
- Check by logging in to your official account or calling the official number yourself.
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Common questions
Will the CRA or IRS ever call or text me?
They may contact you, but never to hand you a refund. The CRA does send one kind of text: a sign-in passcode you asked for, from a short code, with no link and no dollar figure. Neither agency will demand payment by gift card, e-transfer, or crypto, threaten arrest, or text you a link to claim a refund. A message that does any of those is a scam.
I got a text about a tax refund with a link. Is it real?
No. Refunds are issued through your normal account and direct deposit, not by clicking a link and entering details. Log in to your official tax account yourself to check.
The caller knew some of my personal details. Doesn't that prove it's real?
No. Scammers buy or find personal details to sound convincing. Real or not, never pay or share more on an unsolicited call; hang up and call the official number.