i got a cheque from cra for $14.65 saying it’s for a ‘passport refund’. could this be a scam?
they give refunds if they take too long to process passport applications.
@Zen
thanks! didn’t realize it was delayed. if i were them, i’d have a web form where people can apply for it.
Amos said:
@Zen
thanks! didn’t realize it was delayed. if i were them, i’d have a web form where people can apply for it.
it’s automatic. i applied in april and got my passport in june. i paid with my credit card, so the credit showed up there automatically.
Amos said:
@Zen
thanks! didn’t realize it was delayed. if i were them, i’d have a web form where people can apply for it.
good thing you’re not in charge 
i got something similar. i received my passport, and a few months later, a refund of about $30 for ‘late passport’. didn’t even realize it took that long.
a family member recently got an unexpected refund tied to a delayed passport application. here’s what i found: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/fees/passport-travel-document-refunds.html
they still owe me for two passport fees that were overcharged. i got a cheque for $14 yesterday and thought that was their refund. glad i saw this post!
did you apply for or renew a passport last year? if it took longer than their standard time, you’d get a partial refund. it’s automatic, so no need to apply—they’ll mail the refund cheque once a year if applicable.
@Penelope
weird thing is, it didn’t feel like it took that long. well, free money i guess! feels like it should be something you apply for though; otherwise, i’d have never known.
we got a passport after 40 business days, around two months. not a scam; they refunded 50% of the fees.
cra cheques are usually at the bottom of a paper folded in several parts.
is there anything else in the other sections?
TurboTrailblazer said:
cra cheques are usually at the bottom of a paper folded in several parts.
is there anything else in the other sections?
yes 
first section is my name and address, second is some numbers and says ‘passport refund,’ and the third part is the cheque. no extra info. i did get a passport for a family member around 6 months ago, but it was just the standard fee.
@Amos
and you’re certain it’s from cra, not government of canada?
like 100% sure it says canada revenue agency?
TurboTrailblazer said:
@Amos
and you’re certain it’s from cra, not government of canada?
like 100% sure it says canada revenue agency?
ah, no, it actually says government of canada, not cra. odd.
@Amos
i got a passport refund cheque in the spring. my processing time was longer than expected.
definitely a scam.