Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue appealed to Canadians to remind them about the importance of fraud prevention. His speech was confined to performance of anti-fraud activities in March as it is considered to be a fraud prevention month in Canada.

Canadian Government is obliged to fight against frauds and prevent Canadians from being scammed by giving them a full access to information, which may help to identify fraudsters and expose scammy tax affairs.

Protection of every Canada citizen by means of information suggests protection of the whole tax system in Canada.

In order to provide total individual security of Canadian taxpayers the CRA has taken a complex of measures. Personal tax information regarding amounts owing, credit and benefit payments, etc will not be provided by electronic massages. The CRA is committed not to disclose personal information to the third parties, request your tax information by phone/e-mail or to send personal information on your answering machine. If for some reason you receive such massage or a call, please notify RCMP's Anti-Fraud Centre.

Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay emphasized the importance of awareness of the most widespread types of fraud. The CRA explains individuals the consequences of frauds for tax system using different kinds of activities, educational campaigns, cooperation with tax consultants and other governmental institutions.

That’s why the CRA chose March as a fraud prevention month to teach the taxpayers how to identify scams and inform competent authorities. Remember: the more attractive sounds the offer the more likely it’s a fraud.

Quick Facts About Fraud Protection

There are many types of fraud. Sometimes an individual receives strange emails supposedly from the CRA called phishing. This network fraud leads to serious consequences like money stealing or loss of personal information, which may be used for illegal purposes. Another type of fraud is when individuals appear to be involved in scammy tax affairs by intentional reporting the wrong income or receiving payments they are not qualified for.

Once you realized that you have been scammed or involved in illegal tax scheme report your banking institution and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre as fast as possible at 1-888-495-8501.

Those, who were proved to be a fraudster and their accomplices, will carry punishment according to the degree of their participation. In addition to amount owing and interest they will have to pay a penalty or fine imposed by the court or even get into prison.

Those, who somehow found out about the fraud should inform our Informant Leads Program, which is committed not to disclose its source.

The CRA’s specially developed Offshore Tax Informant Program (OTIP) suggests financial compensation for information about scammy tax schemes that cross national boundaries. Go to OTIP website to find out more.

Individuals, who have been involved in tax frauds and want to correct the situation and set things right may turn to Voluntary Disclosures Program and get a chance to avoid penalties.