Weird message from the CRA

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Hey all!

I got home from work and had a message from someone with the Canadian Revenue Agency. It doesn't say what they want, just that I need to call them as soon as possible. Of course, they're now closed for the day. They also said to reference my "customer number." Any clue what that is? If I once had a customer number with the CRA it's long forgotten.

I haven't lived in Canada for almost 4 years now, any idea what this could be about? Has this happened to anyone else?

[pocheros 101]

My first guess is a scam of some kind? Either someone claiming they're with the CRA to get your info- or, perhaps, someone trying to scam the CRA with info they've obtained on you.

Edited March 6, 2013 by pocheros

[VeeNDee 44]

For 4 years you haven't lived in Canada? That is odd. The CRA sent me a snail mail letter saying I owed them money. Long story short, I'd told them I was moving to the USA before I even moved, but they still deposited a GST rebate into my account and then wanted me to pay it back. Eye roll. They should never have deposited it - when I finally got ahold of someone they said their system was slow to update with changes of residency etc. I did pay them back but wasn't impressed.

But I guess my point is, when CRA wanted to reach me, they sent me an actual letter. A phone call sounds either more urgent or a scam. I never got a call from them!

[NikLR 13,227]

Even when I've owed money I've never gotten a call from them. Even when my ex was being audited we never got a call. I think its a scam. Canadian govt loves snail mail. Lol.

[Darnell 8,478]

there's a number to call back? google it !

you might find a nice surprise in the scamming section.

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

Customer number? Wouldn't that just be your SIN number? You could call the number but I wouldn't give them out any information unless you're sure it's absolutely legit. Or you could ask them to send their request for what they want in writing.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yes like someone else mentioned, make sure u google the # or let them call u back. Sounds a bit fishy

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Long lost refund?

[Hugglebuggles 60]

They didn't leave a number! How weird is that? I didn't notice until I listened to it again today. I'm not calling unless they call me back and leave some legit information. I'm pretty darn sure I don't owe them money. They sent me a small refund when I filled my exit return a few years back. I sent back the GST checks they issued in error and confirmed receipt. This was over 3 years ago. I haven't had any contact with them since then. They have my current address, and no letters. Seems weird!

Edited March 7, 2013 by Hugglebuggles

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I googled to see if I could come up with this being an obvious scam, and found this interesting post. It is from a few years back, but the advice given is good and you might want to do what this person did. Talking to someone that you know is from CRA and asking them if there is anything on your file to give a reason why 'they' called would clear up any possible mystery for you. Either they did call (which I agree is highly unlikely) or it is a scam and you can report the number the scammer used to CRA.

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-931-1026/5

[SF2007 48]

If it's important, they will send you mail. Government agencies never conduct business over the phone.

[Allie 5]

It's a scam started about 4 months back. I remeber reading something CRA had in a newspaper about it.

They stated they never call a person, they only contact via mail.