Canadians keep seeing viral posts claiming the CRA will send a $3,900 one-time payment to help with rising costs.
Here’s the truth: the Canada Revenue Agency has explicitly said this payment does not exist.
Below, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the rumour, how to protect yourself from scams, and which real CRA-administered benefits you can actually expect—plus simple steps to confirm your eligibility and dates.
The Bottom Line- There’s No $3,900 Payment
The CRA’s official fraud advisory states there is no $3,900 one-time payment and warns about disinformation circulating online about new government cheques.
Rumour vs. Reality (Quick Table)
| Claim circulating online | Reality from CRA |
|---|---|
| “$3,900 one-time payment is confirmed for everyone.” | False. CRA says there is no such payment. |
| “A new one-time affordability cheque is coming automatically.” | False. CRA warns about fake posts and lists examples (e.g., $680, $533) that don’t exist—same logic applies to “$3,900.” |
| “Watch for a surprise deposit from CRA this month.” | Be cautious. Always verify in CRA My Account and check the official payment calendars for real benefits. |
What Real Payments Should You Expect?
The CRA does deliver several legitimate benefits on predictable schedules (monthly or quarterly), such as the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and other credits.
To avoid falling for fakes, compare any claim with the Government of Canada’s official payment-date pages and your CRA My Account.
The federal site even features a “Beware of false information online” notice reminding Canadians that viral “new one-time payments” are not real unless posted on official pages.
How to Verify Your Own Eligibility and Dates
- Sign in to CRA My Account to see upcoming deposits tied to your file (GST/HST credit, CCB, etc.).
- Cross-check payment calendars on Canada.ca for the next scheduled dates.
- Ignore third-party “news” blogs or social posts promising surprise cheques—CRA flags these as disinformation.
Spotting (and Avoiding) CRA Payment Scams
Scammers copy government logos, promise big cheques, and push you to click links or share personal data. The CRA advises:
- Don’t trust unsolicited emails, texts, or DMs about “new one-time payments.”
- Never share your SIN, banking, or one-time passcodes via links you didn’t initiate.
- Confirm any news on Canada.ca and inside CRA My Account before acting.
Why These Rumours Spread
Imposter sites and videos often recycle headlines about “bonus cheques” or “emergency top-ups.” The CRA has publicly posted scam alerts to counter this trend. If a headline sounds too good to be true (especially round numbers like $680, $533, or $3,900), it almost certainly is.
What To Do If You Already Clicked a Link
- Change your CRA password and enable multi-factor authentication.
- Review your direct-deposit details for unauthorized changes.
- Report the scam using the Government of Canada guidance on recognizing and reporting fraud.
There is no CRA-confirmed $3,900 one-time payment—it’s a viral rumour.
Protect yourself by relying on official CRA pages, checking CRA My Account for your personal deposits, and following the Government of Canada’s payment calendars.
When in doubt, verify first and ignore click-bait claims.
FAQs
Is the $3,900 CRA payment real?
No. The CRA explicitly states there is no such one-time payment. Any posts or videos claiming otherwise are misinformation.
Which payments could I actually receive from CRA?
Legitimate examples include the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit (for eligible families), paid on official schedules published on Canada.ca and visible in your CRA My Account.
How can I confirm my next deposit date?
Log in to CRA My Account and compare with the benefit payment-date page on the Government of Canada website. If a claim isn’t reflected there, it’s almost certainly fake.