Fraud safeguards for $100 Alberta energy rebate raise new questions

Alberta's requirement that applicants verify their identity through Interac to receive an energy rebate is prompting new questions about privacy.

Alberta’s requirement that many applicants verify their identity through Interac to receive the province’s $100 Energy Rebate is raising fresh questions about privacy, accessibility and why the government isn’t relying more heavily on information already held by the Canada Revenue Agency.

The province has said the additional identity verification for the online application is necessary to prevent fraud and ensure rebates are paid only to eligible Albertans.

But applicants, advocates and a University of Calgary privacy expert say the process has created unnecessary hurdles for some residents – particularly seniors, newcomers and those without access to newer technology.

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The rebate is available to Albertans aged 18 and older with a total household income of $225,000 or less.

Applicants must have a verified Alberta.ca account and, in many cases, verify their identity through Interac’s online banking service or by submitting government-issued identification and a selfie.

Expert says CRA could have simplified the process

Ryan Henry, an associate professor in the department of computer science at the University of Calgary whose research focuses on cybersecurity and privacy, says the information requested through the application generally has a legitimate purpose.

“There are indeed pretty good explanations for why the government is collecting all of the different things they’re collecting,” he said.

However, Henry questioned why Alberta chose to administer the rebate through its own application portal instead of relying on the Canada Revenue Agency, which already administers several provincial benefit programs.

“The thing that I really don’t understand myself is why they didn’t have CRA administer the program the way they do with, for example, the Alberta Child and Family Credit,” he said.

“That is definitely superior from a privacy perspective.”

Using the CRA, he said, would have allowed Alberta to verify eligibility without requiring Alberta to collect additional personal information directly.

“It seems like the right way to do this would be to outsource this stuff to the CRA so that this data never needs to leave their control.”

Despite his concerns with the overall approach, Henry says Albertans shouldn’t necessarily be afraid to use the province’s application portal.

“I’m generally okay with using that sort of authentication to authenticate with a government agency,” he said, referring to Interac’s identity verification service.

Henry says Albertans should make sure they are using the official Alberta government website before entering any personal information, avoid clicking on links received through unsolicited emails or text messages, and ensure the web address begins with alberta.ca.

Henry also recommends keeping computers and mobile devices up to date with the latest security updates and avoiding completing applications over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks whenever possible.

“If you’re careful to make sure you’re on the legitimate government website, then the authentication process itself isn’t something that’s particularly concerning.”

Province defends identity verification requirements

CTV News asked the province why additional identity verification through Interac are required for the Alberta Energy Rebate application when much of the eligibility information is already available through the Canada Revenue Agency.

Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish previously cited fraud prevention concerns when discussing the verification process earlier in the week.

In a statement, press secretary Jonathan Gauthier said:

“The [Government of Alberta] does not have legal authority to access or use personal banking information an Albertan has provided to the CRA.

“Both Interac Verified Services (IVS) and Document Verification Services (DVS) are used to verify the identity of the person completing the application.”

The government also says residency changes are another reason additional verification is required, noting some people may have filed taxes as Alberta residents but have since moved away, while others may have moved to the province after filing their 2025 tax return.

“Using Interac Verification Services or Document Verification Services provides a layer of assurance at the point of application. It helps confirm identity without relying solely on eligibility confirmation,” the statement continued.

Technology concerns keeping some from applying

For 64-year-old Calgary resident Marybeth Aksenchuk, concerns about online security have prevented her from applying altogether.

Aksenchuk says she relies on an older computer and doesn’t feel comfortable using it to submit sensitive personal information.

“My records management backgrounds, the courses I’ve taken, tell me that it’s not a good idea to have a really old computer and put your personal information out in electronic communication,” she said.

She also doesn’t use online banking or direct deposit, and says using a public computer isn’t an option because of the privacy risks.

“I’m not going to even try until I get a new computer and adequate protections on that computer.”

She says repeated attempts to contact the province for assistance were also unsuccessful.

“I called multiple times. I was able to get contact just long enough to get a recorded message... and then my call was dropped every time I called.”

After emailing the province, she said she received what appeared to be an automated response directing her back to the online application process.

“It didn’t even address my concerns. Nobody is listening.”

Although Aksenchuk says she can manage without the rebate, she worries about Albertans who cannot.

“It’s important that they have that $100 bucks, even if it means that they can buy some groceries.”

She also questions why Alberta couldn’t rely more heavily on tax information already collected by the federal government.

“They can ask Revenue Canada. Why can’t the Alberta government make these benefits accessible when the federal government is already doing that?”

Application added unexpected costs

Neil Dempster encountered a different obstacle while trying to apply on behalf of his wife, who has been a permanent resident in Alberta for four years after moving to the province from the Philippines.

Although she qualified for the rebate, she didn’t have an Alberta identification card and needed one to create a verified Alberta.ca account.

“I think it was like $54 to get her one for five years,” Dempster said.

He says his wife has been able to live, work and bank in Alberta using her permanent resident documents, so they were surprised provincial identification was required.

“We never really needed to have this Alberta ID. We didn’t think it would be a problem.”

Even after obtaining the identification card, Dempster says the couple encountered additional issues before eventually completing the verification process using her passport instead of her permanent resident card.

“Why not just verify her with a permanent resident card or a passport, that sort of thing, so you don’t have to go through all that?”

Like Aksenchuk, he also says he was unable to reach anyone through the province’s support lines.

“I tried the rebate phone number, and also the Alberta.ca help desk phone number... you just kept getting messages saying, ‘Please try again later.’”

Supports available for those needing help

Jeff Loomis, executive director of Momentum Calgary, says while some residents have concerns about the application process, benefits like the energy rebate remain important for households struggling with the rising cost of living.

“Income boosting benefits like the Alberta Energy Rebate can provide an essential lifeline for Calgarians living on lower incomes,” he said.

Momentum, a non-profit that helps low-income Calgarians through training programs, has heard from residents who are hesitant to apply because of the amount of personal information required.

“A barrier we’re hearing with the Alberta Energy Rebate is the concerns related to privacy, especially needing to provide personal information, for example, a [social insurance number],” Loomis said.

He says applicants who don’t use online banking often face additional challenges because they must upload identification documents and a selfie — something that generally requires access to a smartphone.

Loomis encouraged Albertans to not give up if they encounter difficulties, noting Momentum provides free benefits navigation and financial coaching to help people complete applications.

Province says application process has been streamlined

The Alberta government says it has worked to make the application process easier and that hundreds of thousands of residents have already submitted their rebate applications.

“Alberta Energy Rebate applications must be submitted through the online portal, and over the past two years, Alberta’s government has significantly streamlined the process for getting a verified Alberta.ca account, ensuring most applicants can complete the process in under two minutes,” the province said in a statement.

“So far, over 401,000 Albertans have already successfully submitted their Alberta Energy Rebate applications through the online portal.”

The province says it is encouraging Albertans who have limited access to a computer or who need help signing up for a verified account to seek assistance.

“We encourage Albertans with limited access to a computer or who may need help signing up for a verified account to ask a trusted friend or family member, visit a local public library for computer access, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre for computer access and on-site assistance in applying,” the statement said.

However, for people like Aksenchuk, she says her calls for support appear to be falling on deaf ears.

“A lot of seniors do not have people that can advocate for them.”

In the meantime, the government also directed Albertans to its website for more information about the rebate and application process, or to get help with their Alberta.ca account.

For questions about the Alberta Energy Rebate, the province says to call 1-844-401-4014.

Any further assistance required for Alberta.ca accounts are available via phone at 1-844-643-2789.