Cybersecurity
Don't take the bait!
Income tax season is a busy time for fraud. Whether you’re an individual, a business owner or a person acting on behalf of a business, stay vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity!
Here are ways to avoid traps and protect your confidential information against fraud.
Ways to spot fraud
Unsure about something that looks like it’s from us?
Emails and text messages from us NEVER contain any confidential information or clickable links. You have to log in to My Account for individuals to view the actual message.
To help you decide whether something is really from us, see our communications policy.
Be on your guard
If you have doubts about emails, calls or texts, protect yourself with good habits:
- Don’t click on links or open attachments (we NEVER send any).
- Don’t reply to the sender.
- Never give personal information.
- Don’t reply to messages that require immediate action.
Got questions? We've got answers – individuals
If you get a suspicious message, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and contact us.
Follow the security rules given on the How to Use Our Online Services Securely page to make sure your information is secure when using our online services. You can also sign up to receive alerts. Visit the Notification Service for Individuals page.
Yes. You can receive your documents online or by mail. By default, you’ll receive them by mail. You can consent to receive documents online only, in My Account for individuals. We will email you at the address in your profile whenever you have a new document in My Account.
How to sign up
It’s easy!
Follow these three steps:
1. Check box 10.2 on your income tax return.
2. Enter your email address on line 10.1 of your return.
3. Register for My Account (if you haven’t already done so).
You can also contact us.
Your consent to receive documents online only is valid until you revoke it.
Changed your mind?
You can change your communication preferences at any time in My Account or by contacting us. If you revoke your consent, we will send you correspondence by mail.
Protect your business against fraud
Do you have a business or act on behalf of one?
Have you recently checked that your information in My Account for businesses is still correct? Are the powers of attorney, authorizations and access rights up-to-date? Have you raised staff awareness of best practices to protect your data?
Don’t wait! Adopt 10 good habits to protect against fraud.
Got questions? We've got answers – Businesses
When in doubt, contact us quickly to report the incident. To find out how, visit the Report a Phishing or Fraud Attempt page.
To know how to spot the difference between something from us and a scam, see our communications policy.
To send us confidential documents easily and securely, you can:
- send them from the communications centre or inbox in My Account for businesses (click the envelope in the top-right corner of your screen); or
- contact us so we can tell you the best way to send them, based on the situation.
To prevent fraud, always prioritize electronic payments.
Did you know?
Signing up for My Account for individuals or My Account for businesses is a great way to fulfill your tax obligations confidentially and securely.