CRA: the real contact numbers

The CRA will not threaten to arrest you, demand payment in gift cards or crypto, or send you a refund by text. If a message or caller pushed you to ring a number, check it here first.

Last checked against canada.ca on 1 November 2026.

CRA · Canada

CRA Individuals and trusts · Canada 1-800-959-8281

Individuals and trusts1-800-959-8281

Matches canada.ca, checked 1 November 2026

CRA Automated service to report suspected fraud on your CRA account · Canada 1-800-265-2577

Automated service to report suspected fraud on your CRA account1-800-265-2577

CRA Report suspected fraud, identity theft or suspicious account activity · Canada 1-833-995-2336

Report suspected fraud, identity theft or suspicious account activity1-833-995-2336

CRA Benefits and credits · Canada 1-800-387-1193

Benefits and credits1-800-387-1193

CRA Businesses · Canada 1-800-959-5525

Businesses1-800-959-5525

The real CRA

Gives you a name and a number you can check
Never threatens arrest or deportation
Never asks for gift cards, prepaid cards or crypto
Never sends refunds by e-transfer or text
Never charges a fee to speak to an agent

THE SCAM

"A warrant has been issued for your arrest"
"You have a tax refund waiting, claim here"
"Pay today in Bitcoin or gift cards"
"Reply Y to fix your tax assessment"
"Press 1 to speak to an officer"

This is what the fake warning looks like

This is what the fake text looks like

The CRA does not send refunds by text
The web address is not canada.ca
A deadline of hours is the trick
Don't tap the link. Forward the text to 7726.

SECURITY ALERT CRA: You have a pending tax refund of $427.80. Accept your deposit before midnight: cra-refund-deposit.example

Illustration of a fake pop-up. The number shown is not real.

CRA: You have a pending tax refund of $427.80. Accept your deposit before midnight: cra-refund-deposit.example

Illustration of a fake text. The link shown is not real.

Safer than calling

Your CRA account

Call the CRA yourself

1-800-959-8281, from the CRA's own contact page, never from a message.

Check a CRA phone number

The CRA's verify page on canada.ca checks a callback number for you.

Questions people ask

Is 1-800-959-8281 really the CRA?

Yes. It's the CRA's line for individuals and trusts, listed on the CRA's own page on canada.ca. But a caller showing this number may still be a scammer, because caller ID can be faked. Hang up and call it yourself.

Does the CRA ever phone people?

Yes, it can, and a real CRA caller gives you a name and a number to call back. The CRA's advice: "Never call the phone number that was given to you unless you have verified it yourself with the CRA." Hang up and call 1-800-959-8281 yourself.

A text says I have a CRA refund waiting. Is it real?

No. In the CRA's words: "The CRA does not send text messages or emails about benefits or tax credits with links asking you to click them." Don't tap the link. Forward the text to 7726 and delete it.

A caller says I'll be arrested unless I pay now.

That's a scam. The CRA says it will not threaten to arrest or deport you, and will not demand payment by gift cards, prepaid cards or crypto. Hang up.

I gave a fake CRA caller my details or money. What now?

Call your bank first. If you think your CRA account has been compromised, call the CRA on 1-833-995-2336. Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Then go to What to do now.

Already paid, or shared your SIN or bank details?

What to do now

Not sure about a message you've been sent?

Check it free