Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton residents warned of email phishing scam

Residents from Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton are being alerted about phishing emails from a fraudster impersonating the Canadian Revenue Agency.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is warning local residents of fraudster sending out emails that appear real, but are looking to instead steal your personal and financial information.

“Fraudsters are impersonating the CRA in phishing emails that seem real, but look closer the email address isn’t from the CRA!,” the CAFC said on Twitter. “The CRA won’t send you an email and ask you to click a link to share your personal or financial information.”

The “scammer” will send an email that looks to be from a recognizable institution or company such as a bank or online subscription service such as Amazon or Netflix.

The email will note that you need to update your account or have a tax refund that is ready.

“Whatever the message is, the email is an attempt to trick you into providing your personal or financial information,” said the CAFC.

ALERT! 🚨 Fraudsters are impersonating the CRA in phishing emails that seem real, but look closer, the email address isn’t from the CRA! The CRA won't send you an email and ask you to click a link to share your personal or financial information. Learn more:https://t.co/TZT4cE6Z38 pic.twitter.com/K3x7EFx8nm

— Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (@canantifraud) September 27, 2022

Residents should never click suspicious links and not to trust that the sender is who they say they are.

If you have been a victim of a scam, fraud or cybercrime, contact your local police as soon as possible.

If you receive a message (similar to the one below), you should report it to the CAFC and then delete the message.

You can call toll free at 1-888-495-8501, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. or online here.