CRA employees using work computers to snoop
Dozens of workers at Canada’s tax agency have been caught snooping on their ex-spouses, mothers-in- law, creditors and others by reading confidential tax files.
Internal reports at the Canada Revenue Agency show that rogue employees are improperly reviewing the private financial affairs of taxpayers without their knowledge. And some are using agency computers to give favoured treatment to colleagues, friends, family – and themselves.
There were 29 instances last year, though the agency won’t comment on disciplinary measures or provide details of the cases. But spokesman Noel Carisse says the number of breaches is relatively low given that the agency has more than 40,000 workers. He said a decision on whether to inform a taxpayer about any breach is made in each case, depending on the severity.
