The Province of Ontario is warning residents to be on the lookout for scams to do with the $200 rebate cheques issued by Doug Ford's government.
Adult Ontarians who filed their 2023 income tax by Dec. 31, 2024 qualify to receive the rebate. For families who receive the Canada Child Benefit, an additional $200 is available for each child under 18 years old.
The $200 payment is available exclusively via cheque, which will arrive through the mail.
However, residents should be wary of texts, emails and phone calls from anyone claiming to be from the provincial government.
In a "scam alert" on Ontario's website, officials said the province will not contact someone proactively unless they initiated a question or query about the rebate.
Residents who are contacted unprompted by someone claiming to be a government staffer or representative should never give out their personal information, including social insurance number, banking or health information.
The province said it will never use text, email or a phone call to offer money or a reward, or ask to sign you up for a rebate program.
In early 2025, Ontario began sending the $200 cheques to 15 million Ontarians, costing the provincial treasury approximately $3 billion.
Some cheques are still in transit and have yet to be received. The payment is not available by direct deposit.
To receive the province's $200 cheque, you must have been a resident in Ontario on Dec. 31, 2023, and have been at least 18 years old. Recipients must not have been bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024.
The Toronto Star this week reported some Ontario residents have had trouble depositing their cheques. Ontario's Ministry of Finance told the outlet it is aware of an issue with a “small number” of cheques, caused by a “technical error."
If there is an error on your cheque, or you receive a cheque with the wrong name, the ministry has asked residents to contact Service Ontario at 1-833-351-0409 or 1-888-821-9056. The erroneous cheque will then be cancelled and another cheque will be sent within three to four weeks.
Ontarians can verify their address and check their rebate status on the ServiceOntario website.