CRA RELEASES
The CRA has released a Tax Tip which summarizes a number of tips to safeguard tax information, including the following:
Signing up for My Account or My Business Account and registering for email notifications when paper mail is returned to CRA, or when certain other changes are made on one’s account.
Using CRA protocols to authenticate a caller’s identity. These will be enhanced in August 2019 with the option to set a unique Personal Identification Number which must be provided before a call centre agent can access the individual’s accounts.
Verifying a purported CRA caller by requesting their badge number and calling the individual or business enquiries line for confirmation.
The Tip also provides guidance on steps individuals who may be victims of identity theft should take, including contacting CRA to request enhanced security measures be placed on their accounts.
For additional information, see the updated Guide RC284, Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft, which provides tips on preventing identity theft as well as steps to take if an individual suspects that they are a victim.
For further information see Video Tax News Monthly Tax Update Newsletter, Issue No. 457.