If your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or My Service Canada Account was hacked back in 2020, you might be eligible for a compensation payment of up to $5,200 under the class action against the CRA. A major lawsuit against the CRA or Service Canada has now been settled for $8.7 million. The CRA Class Action Lawsuit settlement was officially approved on May 5, 2026. However, to submit the claim, the online portal is not yet open. Here in this small guide, you will learn everything, including the claim submission timeline, eligibility, and how to prepare.
When Will the CRA Class Action Lawsuit Claim Portal Open?
According to the court-approved settlement, the Service Canada Class Action Lawsuit claim submissions will start 60 days after what is called the “Effective Date.” The Effective Date is the day when the appeal period for the approval decision ends without any appeal being filed.
That exact date of claim submission for $5200 has not yet been confirmed publicly by the concerned authorities. However, based on the planned timeline, the claim portal is expected to open sometime during the summer of 2026.
Once the CRA Class Action Claim Submit portal opens, eligible Canadians will have 6 months to submit their claims on the online portal. After this period, late claims will likely not be accepted.
Narcity has reached out to KPMG, the company appointed as the settlement administrator, for a specific opening date. This article will be updated as soon as that information becomes available.
Am I Eligible for This CRA Class Action Settlement?
You may be eligible to file a claim if your CRA account or My Service Canada Account was compromised during the cyberattacks that took place in the summer of 2020.
Under this CRA Class Action, hackers used stolen passwords from other websites, where people had reused the same login information, to gain access to government accounts. Once inside, they submitted fraudulent applications for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) using the identities of innocent victims.
If your account was one of those accessed without your permission, you could be entitled to compensation.
How Much Money Can You Receive CRA Claim?
The settlement offers three different types of compensation depending on what happened to you.
1. Compensation for Inconvenience: Up to $80
If your account was accessed without authorization but no fraud was committed using your identity, you can claim up to $80. This works out to $20 per hour for a maximum of four hours of time and inconvenience.
2. Compensation for Fraud Victims: Up to $200
If someone used your personal information to commit fraud, for example, by filing a fake CERB application in your name or stealing your benefits—you may claim up to $200. This covers up to 10 hours of your time at $20 per hour.
3. Special Compensation Fund: Up to $5,000
For out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the data breach, you may claim up to $5,000. This can include things like:
- Credit monitoring fees
- Professional fees for help with identity theft recovery
- Unreimbursed financial losses caused by the breach
For this third category, you will need to provide evidence. Keep your receipts, bank statements, invoices, and any other documents that prove your expenses were directly caused by the cyberattack.
Submit Claim @ www.breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca
Once the portal opens, you will be able to submit your claim in one of two ways:
- Online: Visit the official settlement website at www.breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca
- By phone: Call 1-833-724-6160
The process will require you to provide information about what happened to your account and, for larger claims, supporting documents.
What Should You Do Right Now?
While you wait for the portal to open, here is how you can prepare:
- Gather any evidence you have related to the breach, such as emails from CRA, police reports, or credit monitoring receipts.
- Keep an eye on the official website for announcements about the exact opening date.
- Do not pay anyone who promises to help you file your claim. The process is free.
Summary
If your CRA or My Service Canada Account was hacked in 2020, you may soon have the chance to claim between $80 and $5,200. The portal is expected to open by summer 2026, and you will have six months to file your claim. Stay tuned for updates, and be ready to submit your claim as soon as the portal goes live.
