Service Canada Benefits Email — How to Tell If It's a Scam
An email claims to be from Service Canada about your CPP, OAS, or EI benefits. It says your payments will stop unless you verify your identity online. Service Canada does not threaten benefit suspension by email. This is a scam targeting Canadian seniors.
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How This Scam Works
Critical Risk — Targets Canadian Seniors
Service Canada does not threaten benefit suspension by email. CPP, OAS, and EI communications are handled through My Service Canada Account or by postal mail.
You receive an email claiming to be from Service Canada about your Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), or Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The email states that your benefits will be suspended unless you verify your identity by clicking a link and entering your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and banking information.
This scam targets Canadian seniors who depend on CPP and OAS payments. The fear of losing retirement income drives victims to comply quickly without verifying the email's legitimacy. Scammers use stolen SINs for identity theft, fraudulent tax filings, and unauthorized account access.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reported that Canadians lost over $569 million to fraud in 2023, with government impersonation being one of the most common categories. Service Canada impersonation scams increase during tax season and benefit payment adjustment periods.
Red Flags
- Claims your CPP, OAS, or EI benefits will be suspended
- Asks for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or banking details
- Sender address is not from a @canada.ca or @servicecanada.gc.ca domain
- Contains a link to a website that is not canada.ca
- Threatens immediate consequences if you don't respond
Service Canada communicates through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA), by postal mail, or through scheduled phone calls that you initiate. They never send emails demanding immediate action or threatening benefit suspension.
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not click any links or provide your SIN
- Log in to your My Service Canada Account at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account
- Check your benefit status and any pending actions there
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 (English) or 1-800-277-9915 (French)
- Report the email to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
How to Verify Legitimately
Log in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account to check your CPP, OAS, or EI status. You can also call Service Canada directly at 1-800-277-9914 (TTY: 1-800-255-4786). Service Canada representatives can confirm whether any action is actually required on your account.
Sources
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) — Annual Reports — Fraud losses in Canada
- Service Canada: Scam and fraud prevention — Protect yourself from fraud