Canada Revenue Agency warns of text message phishing scam

Many people are reporting having received a scam text message claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency. March 24, 2015. (Twitter/@Smitty_Mark)

The Canada Revenue Agency has issued a warning about a scam that lures victims with a text message that the agency is sending them money via an INTERAC e-transfer.

Police and the CRA became aware of the scam after Canadians who received the message took to social media to warn others.

The text suggests that the CRA has sent the e-transfer, and then asks the recipient to click a link “to deposit your income tax return.”

Recipients are then asked for personal information, such as social insurance numbers, credit card and bank account information, and passport numbers.

The CRA says the text is a phishing scam, where scammers seek personal information via electronic messages, and recipients should delete it immediately.

“Canadians are reminded that the CRA will only send payments by direct deposit or by cheque, never by email money transfer,” reads an alert on the agency’s website.

So far, RCMP and municipal police agencies across B.C. are warning residents about the scam. RCMP headquarters in Ottawa is looking into a request from CTVNews.ca to determine if the scam is targeting Canadians nationwide.

Phishing scams that involve the CRA are not new, and the agency has warned for years of fraudulent emails, phone calls and even letters that seek victims’ personal information.

The agency says it would never request personal information via email.

Anyone who receives these kinds of messages should ask themselves the following questions:

Meanwhile, TD Bank is also warning that a text message telling recipients that their bank account has been suspended is also a scam.

A user is told to click a link to “unlock” their account, and then is asked for personal information. TD Bank spokesperson Jeff Meerman told CTV Vancouver that anyone who has concerns about a scam can call 866-222-3456 or email [e-mail].

Anyone who suspects they have become a victim of fraud can also call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 888-495-8501.