Recognizing Phishing and Scams Course: Government, bank and tech-support impersonation

1. Question 1 of 17

   Which statement about the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is true?

   • AIt accepts tax payments made in cryptocurrency from any wallet
   • BIt won't demand immediate payment by gift cards or crypto
   • CIt may meet you in a public place to collect a payment
   • DIt sends refunds by e-transfer through text messages
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It won't demand immediate payment by gift cards or crypto

   The CRA says it will not demand immediate payment by e-transfer, cryptocurrency, prepaid cards or gift cards.

2. Question 2 of 17

   When does the CRA send text messages?

   • ATo ask you to reply "HELP" to fix your account
   • BOnly for multi-factor authentication, if you chose that option
   • CTo send you refunds and benefit payments by e-transfer
   • DTo remind you about a debt and give you a link to pay it online
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Only for multi-factor authentication, if you chose that option

   The CRA says it only sends texts for multi-factor authentication and does not otherwise contact you by text or instant messaging.

3. Question 3 of 17

   Which statement would a real CRA employee never make?

   • AYour tax return has been selected for a review by our office
   • BPlease confirm your name and date of birth
   • CYou will be arrested or deported if you don't pay now
   • DYou can pay using the CRA's official payment options
   Show answer

   Answer: C. You will be arrested or deported if you don't pay now

   The CRA will not threaten to arrest or deport you. It may review returns, verify identity and ask you to pay using official options.

4. Question 4 of 17

   A caller says he is from the CRA, and your phone shows a Government of Canada number. Can you trust the caller ID?

   • AYes; government phone numbers cannot be copied or faked
   • BYes, if the caller knows your full name
   • COnly if the call comes from Ottawa
   • DNo; numbers can be spoofed, so end the call and verify
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No; numbers can be spoofed, so end the call and verify

   The CRA says not to trust the phone number shown on your caller ID. End the call and verify before you call back.

5. Question 5 of 17

   A CRA caller gives you a callback number. What does the CRA tell you to do?

   • ACall it right away while the caller waits on the other line
   • BText the number to see if it is real
   • CTrust it if it starts with 1-800
   • DEnd the call and check it with the CRA's online tool
   Show answer

   Answer: D. End the call and check it with the CRA's online tool

   The CRA says to end the call and verify the callback number with its tool before calling.

6. Question 6 of 17

   If the CRA's verification tool cannot confirm a number, which number can an individual call to check?

   • A1-866-274-6627
   • B1-888-495-8501
   • C1-800-959-8281
   • D7726
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 1-800-959-8281

   1-800-959-8281 is the CRA line for individuals and trusts. 1-888-495-8501 is the CAFC, 1-866-274-6627 is Service Canada and 7726 is for scam texts.

7. Question 7 of 17

   Read the email. Which detail matches a scam the CRA warns about?

   From: Canada Revenue Agency <noreply@cra-notices.example>

   Subject: Your revised Notice of Assessment

   Errors were found in your 2025 tax return. Your revised Notice of Assessment is not available in My Account. Download it within 48 hours:

   [Download notice]

   • AIt was sent from a no-reply address
   • BThe notice is "not in My Account" and must be downloaded soon
   • CIt has a subject line
   • DIt names a tax year and uses the official term Notice of Assessment
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The notice is "not in My Account" and must be downloaded soon

   The CRA describes a notice of assessment phishing scam that claims the notice is not in My Account and must be downloaded quickly.

8. Question 8 of 17

   Read the email. What should you do instead of clicking?

   From: Canada Revenue Agency <noreply@cra-notices.example>

   Subject: Your revised Notice of Assessment

   Errors were found in your 2025 tax return. Your revised Notice of Assessment is not available in My Account. Download it within 48 hours:

   [Download notice]

   • AForward it to friends to ask what they think
   • BReply and ask for the notice as a PDF
   • CSign in to your CRA account yourself to check for mail
   • DDownload the notice to your computer, but do not open the file
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Sign in to your CRA account yourself to check for mail

   The CRA says not to click links or open attachments, and to check your CRA account for mail instead.

9. Question 9 of 17

   A text with a Government of Canada logo says an Interac e-transfer deposit from the CRA is waiting for you. What should you know?

   • AIt is real, since the Government of Canada logo is official
   • BIt's a scam; the CRA doesn't send refunds by text
   • CReply with your bank's name to receive it
   • DTap the link only if you are expecting a refund
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It's a scam; the CRA doesn't send refunds by text

   The CRA warns about this text scam, which leads to a fake bank sign-in page. It does not send refunds or payments by e-transfer or text.

10. Question 10 of 17

    A caller says she is from your hydro company and your power will be cut off in one hour unless you pay. What does the CAFC call this?

    • AAn extortion scam
    • BA job scam
    • CA tech-support scam
    • DA normal overdue-bill reminder
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An extortion scam

    The CAFC lists hydro calls demanding immediate payment to avoid a power cut-off as an extortion scam.

11. Question 11 of 17

    An automated call says customs intercepted a package in your name and links you to a crime. What should you know?

    • AThe call is real if the message sounds official
    • BIt matches a scam the CAFC says often targets the Asian community
    • CYou must pay a fee right away to clear your name
    • DCanadian customs always makes calls like this before an arrest
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It matches a scam the CAFC says often targets the Asian community

    The CAFC describes intimidating automated calls that claim customs intercepted a package in your name.

12. Question 12 of 17

    Read the call. Which detail shows it is a scam?

    Liam gets a call. Caller ID shows his bank's name.

    "This is Officer Grant with the fraud unit at Lakeview Bank. We think a teller is stealing from your account. To help our investigation, move $8,000 into a safe account we have set up. Do not tell branch staff. Someone will also come to your home to collect your debit card. Cut it in half, but don't damage the chip."

    • AThe caller ID shows the bank's name
    • BThe caller gives a name and a department
    • CHe is asked to move money to a "safe" account
    • DThe call is about fraud on his account
    Show answer

    Answer: C. He is asked to move money to a "safe" account

    The CAFC says institutions never ask you to transfer funds to another account for security reasons. Caller ID can be spoofed.

13. Question 13 of 17

    Read the call. What should Liam do?

    Liam gets a call. Caller ID shows his bank's name.

    "This is Officer Grant with the fraud unit at Lakeview Bank. We think a teller is stealing from your account. To help our investigation, move $8,000 into a safe account we have set up. Do not tell branch staff. Someone will also come to your home to collect your debit card. Cut it in half, but don't damage the chip."

    • AMove a smaller amount first to test the account
    • BAsk the person who comes to his home for ID first
    • CCut the card as asked, but keep the chip safe and undamaged
    • DHang up and call the number on the back of his card
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Hang up and call the number on the back of his card

    The CAFC says to end the call and dial the number on the back of your card. Banks and police never ask you to hand over your card.

14. Question 14 of 17

    After hanging up on a suspicious "bank" call, what extra step does the CAFC suggest before you call your bank?

    • AUse a different phone, or wait 10 minutes
    • BText the bank and wait for a reply
    • CTurn your phone off for a full day
    • DCall the scam number back to complain
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Use a different phone, or wait 10 minutes

    The CAFC suggests calling from a different phone if possible, or waiting 10 minutes, before dialling your bank.

15. Question 15 of 17

    Read the pop-up. What is the safest response?

    A pop-up fills Aiden's laptop screen and an alarm sounds:

    WARNING! Your computer is infected. Do not shut down. Call Support at 1-800-555-0147 now to avoid losing your files.

    • ALet them connect remotely so they can check the laptop
    • BPay for the clean-up, since the files are at risk
    • CCall the number, but don't give them your card number
    • DDon't call; close the browser and ask IT for help
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Don't call; close the browser and ask IT for help

    The CAFC describes alarming pop-ups that demand you call a number urgently as a tech-support scam. The fraudster then asks for a fee or for you to log in to your bank.

16. Question 16 of 17

    A website offers to speed up your passport application for a fee. What does the CAFC say?

    • AIt is safe as long as the website shows a maple leaf logo
    • BThe forms are free and no one can speed up the process
    • CPay only after the passport arrives
    • DPaying a fee is the official way to get faster service
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The forms are free and no one can speed up the process

    The CAFC warns about fee-based sites that promise faster processing of government documents.

17. Question 17 of 17

    What does the CAFC say about calls from credit bureaus?

    • AThey don't call randomly unless you asked for a call back
    • BThey call every year to confirm your personal details and accounts
    • CThey charge a fee to unlock your credit file
    • DThey need your bank card to check your credit
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They don't call randomly unless you asked for a call back

    The CAFC says credit bureaus will not randomly call you unless it is a requested call back.

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