Grocery Rebate Scams On The Rise in Canada, CRA Asks Public to be Wary

Grocery rebate scams are on the rise in Canada, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has notified. The victims are contacted via email or text and are asked to fill out a form. The scam has popped up amid the one-time grocery rebate that has been proposed in this year’s federal budget.

The CRA has warned the public about grocery rebate scams doing the rounds. People are being contacted via email or text asking them to fill out a form or claim payments. These scams use phrasing such as “to receive your payment, click here and complete the form,” and the CRA has warned the public to be wary of these kinds of messages.

(1/2) Did you get an text or an email claiming to be from the CRA about the Grocery Rebate? It’s a scam!

❌We will not text/email you a link to get a payment or to ask you to fill in a form.

Learn how to spot scams at https://t.co/tqfrwoX71m #BeScamSmart pic.twitter.com/vDBFiRDjhJ

— Canada Revenue Agency (@CanRevAgency) April 17, 2023

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre shared that there were 3,923 victims of this fraud and 6,610 reports of it in January. Those affected should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through the fraud reporting system.

The scam has popped up amid the one-time grocery rebate that has been proposed in this year’s federal budget. This rebate system will be implemented to provide some relief from the high grocery prices and overall inflation. The bill implementing this rebate plan is yet to be passed in the House of Commons. The CRA tweeted about it as well and said that the rebate will be delivered after the enactment of legislation.

If passed, a one-time grocery rebate totaling $2.5 billion will be provided to 1 million low- and modest-income Canadians and families. Eligible single Canadians without children would get up to $234, couples who have two children would receive up to $467, and seniors would get up to $225.

Vineet Washington