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You Could Be Owed Up to $5,000: The CRA Data Breach Settlement, Explained

  August 21, 2026 If you had a Government of Canada online account back in 2020, it's worth five minutes to check whether you're eligible for a payout. Claims are now open in an $8.7-million federal settlement tied to a wave of 2020 cyberattacks on Canada Revenue Agency and other Government of Canada accounts. If your CRA My Account, My Service Canada Account, or another GCKey-linked account was compromised, you may be entitled to compensation — in some cases, up to $5,000. Here's what happened, who qualifies, and exactly how to file before the deadline. What happened Between June and August 2020, hackers used "credential stuffing" — testing stolen usernames and passwords from other data leaks against government login pages — to break into thousands of Government of Canada online accounts. In some cases, attackers viewed confidential personal and financial information; in others, they used stolen access to file fraudulent claims for pandemic-era benefits like CERB...

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Fake Goods: How to Stay Safe When Shopping Online






Fake goods are everywhere online, and they can pose a threat to your health, safety, and wallet. Experts say that you should be careful when shopping online, especially from third-party vendors or unknown sellers.

Here are some ways to avoid buying a fake:

1. Buy from a brand’s own site or an authorized seller, such as Best Buy, Macy’s, or Footlocker. These retailers have strict policies and quality control to ensure that they sell only authentic products.

2. Research the seller before you buy. You can read online reviews from other customers, visit their website, check their return policy, and look for signs of legitimacy, such as contact information, customer service, and secure payment methods.

3. Be wary of prices that are too good to be true. If a product is significantly cheaper than the market price, it may be a counterfeit. You can compare prices across different websites and check the official website of the brand for the suggested retail price.

4. Inspect the product carefully when you receive it. Look for any signs of poor quality, such as spelling errors, missing labels, wrong logos, or faulty packaging. If you suspect that you bought a fake, you should contact the seller and request a refund. You can also report the seller to the online platform or the authorities.

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