Canada Revenue Agency warns public of email fraud

The Canada Revenue Agency is no longer mailing out T1 personalized income tax packages. The CRA says in 2011, printed packages for approximately 1.3 million people went unused.

There is an ongoing scam involving fraudulent emails purporting to seek personal information on behalf of the Canada Revenue Agency, Toronto Police and the CRA warned Friday.

The Toronto Police Service says it has received dozens of reports from people across the GTA about emails claiming to be from the CRA.

The emails state that the recipient either owes money or is entitled to a tax refund, but must provide personal information before the amount can be transferred or collected.

In a press release, a CRA representative states the agency will never request taxpayer information by email. They recommend the public visit the CRA website for more information.

Anyone who receives one of the emails is advised not to click on any links within the email, as they which might contain viruses, and to contact the CRA offices instead.

If the CRA has no knowledge of the email, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and report the incident.