Know Your Rights
Every day, millions of Canadians receive calls designed to frighten them. Scammers know that many people are worried about taxes, debt, or immigration status — and they use that fear against you. This guide is here to help you understand your rights and know exactly what to do.
Someone called claiming to be CRA
A real call from the Canada Revenue Agency feels very different from a scam. Here is how to tell them apart.
| A real CRA agent | A scammer |
|---|---|
| Sends a letter by mail first, before ever calling | Calls out of the blue and creates urgency |
| Is calm and lets you verify their identity | Threatens you with arrest, deportation, or police |
| Accepts normal, traceable payment methods | Demands gift cards, e-transfers, crypto, or Bitcoin |
| Never pressures you to act in the next few minutes | Says you must pay immediately or face consequences |
The CRA will NEVER:
- Threaten you with immediate arrest or send the police
- Demand payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency, or e-transfer
- Ask for your SIN, passport, or banking details over the phone
- Use aggressive or threatening language to scare you
What to do:
- Hang up. You are allowed to simply end the call.
- Take a breath. Nothing bad happens because you hung up.
- If you want to be sure, call the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281.
You are not in trouble. Real tax issues are handled by mail first, never by surprise phone calls.
A debt collector called me
Dealing with debt is already stressful. You deserve to be treated with dignity, and the law is on your side.
Your rights:
- You have the right to be treated respectfully, without threats
- You can ask for proof that the debt is really yours
- You can ask a collector to only contact you in writing
A collector cannot:
- Threaten, intimidate, or use abusive language
- Call before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Contact your employer, family, or friends about your debt
- Call so often that it amounts to harassment
You don't have to face this alone. To report abuse, contact the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada at 1-866-461-3222.
I keep getting sales calls
You can stop most unwanted telemarketing calls for free by adding your number to Canada's National Do Not Call List. It takes about two minutes.
- Register online at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca
- Or register by phone at 1-866-580-3625
I think I was scammed
It's okay. Scammers are professionals at manipulation. This is not your fault.
Steps to take:
- If you shared banking details, call your bank right away to protect your accounts.
- Write down what happened — the number, the time, and what was said.
- Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
- If you lost money, also report it to your local police service.
Got a call you're unsure about? Look it up and report it to protect others.
Look up a number