How to Change CRA Security Questions

Imagine this: You’ve just received an alert from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), indicating that there’s been suspicious activity on your account. Your immediate thought? Change your security questions. Fast. But how do you actually go about it?

Here's the twist: This isn’t just a matter of answering a few preset questions like your mother's maiden name. CRA gives you more control, allowing you to create questions that are unique to you, ensuring that the answers are only something you would know. This guide will take you through the process of changing your CRA security questions, so you can safeguard your account effectively.

The Critical Step You Might Forget

The very first action you need to take isn't even logging in. It’s verifying that you have access to your email associated with your CRA account. CRA often sends email confirmations or notifications about security updates. If you miss one of these, your attempt to change the security questions could stall, leaving you vulnerable. So, before you proceed, make sure your email is up-to-date.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Here’s the step-by-step approach for changing your CRA security questions:

1. Log in to your CRA My Account: Access the CRA My Account using your preferred method, whether that’s through a CRA sign-in or a Sign-In Partner like your online banking credentials.

2. Navigate to Security Settings: Once you're in, go to the "Security Settings" section. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the layout of this page. The security questions will not be front and center, so you’ll need to scroll a little or search through your options.

3. Select ‘Change Security Questions’: In the Security Settings section, you’ll find the option to update your security questions. You’ll be asked to input new questions and their corresponding answers. Remember, these should be answers that are easy for you to remember but hard for anyone else to guess.

4. Choose Your Questions Wisely: One key here is to avoid common answers like pet names or favorite colors. Instead, opt for something only you would know, but make sure the question is something you’ll remember down the road. For example, instead of “What was the name of your first pet?” you could ask, “What was the make and model of your first car?”

5. Save and Confirm: After you’ve inputted your new questions and answers, save them. CRA will prompt you to confirm the changes. Make sure to follow through with this confirmation process; otherwise, your new security questions won’t be activated.

Why You Need to Stay Vigilant

Changing your security questions shouldn’t be a set-it-and-forget-it task. Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and threats to your online accounts continue to grow more sophisticated. Regularly revisiting and updating your security questions adds an additional layer of protection, especially if you think the information you originally provided might have been compromised.

In fact, it’s recommended to update your security questions at least once a year, if not more frequently, depending on your online activity and the sensitivity of your information.

What to Do if You Can’t Change Them

If for some reason you’re unable to change your security questions or you’ve forgotten the answers to the existing ones, don't panic. CRA has a protocol for this. You'll need to go through an identity verification process, which could involve answering other personal questions or receiving a security code via your email or phone number. In some cases, CRA might even send a code to your mailing address.

The Broader Implications

Changing your CRA security questions isn't just about protecting your tax return. It’s about safeguarding access to a wealth of personal information, including your income details, tax filings, and social insurance number. If someone gains access to your CRA account, they could potentially use your information for identity theft, take out loans in your name, or commit other types of fraud.

CRA is one of the most sensitive accounts you have because of the financial and identity-related information it holds. As we increasingly digitize every aspect of our lives, the importance of strong, regularly updated security measures becomes more critical. Your security questions are a key part of this defense strategy.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Using easily guessed answers: Avoid questions with answers that could be easily found on your social media profiles or through public information.
• Reusing security answers across accounts: If someone gains access to your CRA security answers, and you use the same ones for your email or banking accounts, you could be exposed to a broader attack.
• Forgetting to update your email address: If your email address is outdated, you might not receive notifications about suspicious activity on your account.

A Final Word of Caution

Never share your CRA login credentials or the answers to your security questions with anyone. This includes not writing them down where they can be easily found. While it may seem like common sense, people often underestimate the lengths to which fraudsters will go to access personal information.

The CRA has improved its online security protocols, but your vigilance is the most important factor. Regularly updating your security questions is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your CRA account.