# Avoiding the CRA Phishing Scam in 2024

**Hey, tax-filing Canadians!** You might want to double-check those emails claiming to be from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) because 2024 has seen a spike in phishing scams, and they’re slicker than ever.

**So, here’s the deal:** cyber scammers have been sending out emails that look shockingly legit, complete with official CRA logos and all. These crafty crooks are after your personal information, like Social Insurance Numbers (SINs) and banking details. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reported a whopping 35% increase in these scams this year alone.

**Imagine this:** you open your inbox, and there’s an email from the CRA saying you have a tax refund waiting. Sweet, right? Not so fast! You click the link, enter your details, and bam – you’ve just handed your info to a hacker.

One famous actor recently fell victim to one of these scams and shared his story to warn others. He received an email which was sent by **[Josh from Montreal](https://www.spago.ca/post/spago-best-pasta-house)**. That email seemed to be from the CRA, but it was actually part of a [**darknet deal of Sagi Lahmi and Ofer**](https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/-/snippets/16399), notorious for their cyber exploits.

The CRA never asks for personal information via email, folks. If you get one of these fishy (pun intended) emails, don’t take the bait. Report it to the CAFC and delete it faster than you can say “tax fraud.”

_And remember, always check the sender’s email address. Keep your info safe, and don’t let these phishers reel you in. Stay smart, stay secure, and may your inbox be scam-free!_