CRA Class Action Settlement 2025, Canada Revenue Agency accused of the data breach

CRA Class Action Settlement 2025: We fast forward to January 2020 when a number of cyber attacks occurred leading to the loss of thousands of Canadians’ personal information due to the current financial challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 virus. These breaches compromise personal and financial data resulting from accounts linked with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and My Service Canada. Personal identification data, including SINs, taxes, credit card numbers and banking statements were stolen, resulting to fraud and identity theft. This has led to the CRA Privacy Breach Class Action Lawsuit affair that seeks to deal with this failure from the government to protect this kind of information.

What is the CRA Privacy Breach Class Action Lawsuit?

The CRA Privacy Breach Class Action lawsuit was filed back in 2018 after the massive data theft affecting the CRA and My Service Canada accounts. The shortcoming is said to be in the absence of sufficient security measures put in place by the government, which saw hackers steal data from the accounts belonging to thousands of Canada citizens. Todd Sweet, the class representative, has significantly advanced evidence that proves that such breaches have an impact on numerous clients in a similar way, making it reasonable to combine all the claims in one class action.

The lawsuit is being represented by the legal firm Rice Harbut Elliott LLP, which replaced Murphy Battista LLP after the breach too. The class action has been certified, which means it will include anyone whose their identification and/or financial information was shared through their Government of Canada Online Accounts on or after March 1, 2020. That is those who had their CRA and My Service Canada accounts that were hacked; and people who used the Government of Canada Branded Credential Service (GCKey) to have their accounts penetrated.

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Who is Receiving the CRA Notice?

A notice is being sent out to all individuals whose data was compromised in the breach. This includes:

Users of CRA My Account whose information was accessed or stolen.
Individuals with My Service Canada accounts that were affected.
Users of other Government of Canada online accounts accessed through GCKey that were impacted.
If you received this notice, you are automatically considered part of the class unless you opt out. This means you are included in the lawsuit but have the option to pursue independent legal action if you choose to do so.

What to Do If You Receive the Notice

If you receive a notice about the CRA privacy breach, it’s important to take the following steps:

Read the Notice Carefully: Understand how the class action may affect you and whether you want to be a part of it.
Decide to Stay In or Opt-Out: You can choose to remain a part of the class action or opt out if you wish to pursue independent legal action.
Follow Any Instructions: If there are specific forms to submit or deadlines to meet, ensure you comply with them.
Ask Questions: If you need more information or clarification, contact the law firm handling the case to better understand your rights and options.

What is a Notice of Clarification?

A Notice of Clarification is an official document issued to clarify key aspects of a class action lawsuit. In the case of the CRA privacy breach, this notice will explain:

The Purpose of the Lawsuit: Why the class action has been filed and what legal grounds support it.
Who is Included in the Class: Clear criteria for determining class members, based on the breach details.
Rights of Class Members: Information about how you can participate in the lawsuit or opt out.
Potential Outcomes: What plaintiffs are seeking in terms of damages or remedies, and what affected individuals might expect from the lawsuit’s outcome.
The Notice of Clarification ensures that all potential class members fully understand the lawsuit and how it might impact them, allowing them to make informed decisions about their participation.

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Conclusion

The CRA Privacy Breach Class Action Lawsuit is a significant case addressing the failure of the Canadian government to protect sensitive personal and financial information. With thousands of Canadians affected, it is crucial for those impacted to stay informed about the lawsuit, understand their rights, and take necessary actions. Whether you decide to be part of the class action or pursue independent legal action, being aware of your options will help ensure that your privacy and rights are protected.

FAQs On CRA Class Action Settlement 2025

Q. What is the CRA Class Action Settlement 2025?

A. The CRA Class Action Settlement 2025 refers to a legal settlement involving the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), which was accused of causing a data breach affecting taxpayers’ personal information.

Q. Why is the CRA being sued?

A. The CRA is being sued for allegedly mishandling taxpayer data, leading to a breach that exposed the sensitive personal information of many Canadians.

Q. What was the data breach about?

A. The data breach involved unauthorized access to taxpayer information, potentially exposing personal details, tax records, and other sensitive data.