RCIC News. 
Fact-checking false GST payment claims to protect Canadians from scams
On This Page You Will Find:
- Official CRA payment dates that prove February GST claims are false
- Which benefits ARE actually paid in February (and which aren't)
- How scammers exploit confusion about government payments
- Simple steps to verify your real GST/HST credit status
- Warning signs of benefit fraud targeting Canadians
Summary:
Misinformation is spreading across social media claiming GST/HST payments are coming in February 2026. This is completely false. The Canada Revenue Agency has never issued GST payments in February since the program began in 1991. These false claims could expose you to scams targeting your banking information. Here's everything you need to know to protect yourself and understand when your real payments arrive.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- GST/HST credits are paid quarterly only (January, April, July, October) - never in February
- Scammers exploit confusion between GST credits and other benefits that do have February dates
- Your next real GST payment arrives April 2, 2026 if you received January's payment
- A new grocery benefit is coming in spring 2026, but requires Parliamentary approval first
- Always verify benefit information through canada.ca to avoid fraud
Maria Santos refreshed her Facebook feed Tuesday morning and saw it again - another post claiming she'd receive a $628 GST payment on February 16th. Her neighbor had shared it, adding "Finally some good news!" But something felt off to Maria. She'd been receiving GST credits for years, and February payments? That didn't sound right.
Maria's instinct was spot-on. If you've seen similar claims about February GST payments, you're looking at misinformation that's spreading rapidly across Canadian social media. And here's why this matters more than just correcting the record: these false claims create perfect conditions for scammers to steal your personal information.
The Truth About GST Payment Dates
Let me be crystal clear: there is no GST/HST credit payment in February 2026. There has never been a February GST payment. Ever.
The Canada Revenue Agency operates on a strict quarterly schedule that hasn't changed since 1991:
Official 2026 GST/HST Credit Dates:
- January 5, 2026 ✓ (Already issued)
- April 2, 2026 (Next payment)
- July 3, 2026
- October 5, 2026
That's it. Four payments per year. No exceptions, no special February bonuses, no surprise deposits.
Why This Misinformation Is Dangerous
Here's what's happening: dozens of websites and social media accounts are publishing articles with headlines like "GST Payment February 16, 2026" or "New $740 GST Credit Coming This Month." These aren't just innocent mistakes - they're creating confusion that scammers exploit.
When Canadians expect a payment that doesn't exist, they become vulnerable to phishing texts and emails claiming "Your GST payment is delayed - click here to update your banking information." That's exactly how identity theft begins.
What Benefits ARE Actually Paid in February
The confusion stems from legitimate benefits that do have February payment dates. Here's what you might actually receive this month:
Real February 2026 Benefit Dates:
- Canada Child Benefit: February 20
- Canada Pension Plan: February 25
- Old Age Security: February 25
- Ontario Trillium Benefit: February 10
- Canada Disability Benefit: February 19
Notice what's missing? GST/HST credits. They're simply not part of the February payment schedule.
How Much Is Your Real GST Credit Worth?
Let's talk real numbers, not the inflated figures circulating online. The maximum annual GST/HST credit for 2026 is:
- Single person: $533 annually ($133 per quarter)
- Couple: $698 annually ($174 per quarter)
- Additional per child: $184 annually ($46 per quarter)
So if you're single and receiving the maximum, you get about $133 every three months - not the $628 or $740 amounts some websites claim. Those inflated numbers should immediately raise red flags.
The New Grocery Benefit: Real But Not Ready
You might be wondering about the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on January 27, 2026. This is legitimate, but it's not coming in February.
Here's what we know:
- One-time payment scheduled for spring 2026 (no later than June)
- Will increase GST credits by 25% for five years starting July 2026
- Requires Parliamentary approval before any payments can be issued
- Will be added to regular GST payments, not replace them
The key phrase here is "requires Parliamentary approval." Until that happens, no payments can be made. Anyone claiming you can receive this benefit now is lying.
How to Check Your Real GST Status
Want to know exactly when your next payment arrives and how much you'll receive? Here's how:
- Log into your CRA My Account at canada.ca
- Click "Benefits and credits"
- Select "GST/HST credit"
- View your payment history and upcoming dates
You can also sign up for email reminders sent one week before each quarterly payment. This official notification system helps you distinguish real payments from scam attempts.
Red Flags That Scream "Fraud"
If you encounter any of these claims, you're looking at misinformation or potential fraud:
- GST payments in February, March, May, June, August, September, November, or December
- Payment amounts over $200 for single individuals
- Claims about "emergency GST payments" or "special relief payments"
- Requests to click links or provide banking information
- Text messages claiming your payment is "on hold"
The CRA will never ask for personal information via email or text. They'll never ask you to "verify" your banking details for a payment you're already receiving.
What Happens If You Fall for These Scams
Identity theft through benefit fraud is devastating. Scammers who obtain your Social Insurance Number and banking information can:
- File fraudulent tax returns in your name
- Apply for credit cards and loans
- Access your existing bank accounts
- Claim benefits you're entitled to receive
- Sell your information to other criminals
Recovery can take months or years. Prevention is always better than cleanup.
Protecting Your Family from Benefit Fraud
Share these safety tips with everyone in your household:
Never trust unexpected benefit announcements from unofficial sources. If the Government of Canada announces a new payment, you'll see it on canada.ca first, not on random websites or social media.
Question inflated payment amounts. Government benefits are carefully calculated. If someone claims you're getting $1,000 when you usually receive $133, that's a red flag.
Report suspicious activity to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or 1-888-495-8501.
When Will You Actually Get Paid?
If you received your GST/HST credit on January 5, 2026, mark April 2, 2026 on your calendar. That's when your next payment arrives - not a day sooner.
The amount will be roughly the same as your January payment (unless your income or family situation changed significantly when you filed your 2024 taxes). No surprises, no bonuses, no special February payments.
The Bottom Line
Misinformation about government benefits isn't harmless - it creates opportunities for fraud that can devastate your finances. The GST/HST credit follows a predictable quarterly schedule that hasn't changed in over 30 years.
Your next payment is April 2, 2026. Until then, ignore any claims about February GST payments, no matter how convincing they seem or who shares them. When in doubt, check canada.ca directly.
Remember: if something sounds too good to be true - like an unexpected $600 payment appearing in your account - it probably is. Trust the official sources, protect your personal information, and help spread accurate information to keep other Canadians safe from these scams.
FAQ
Q: Are there really GST/HST payments coming in February 2026?
No, there are absolutely no GST/HST payments scheduled for February 2026. The Canada Revenue Agency has operated on a strict quarterly payment schedule since the program began in 1991, issuing payments only in January, April, July, and October. The official 2026 payment dates are January 5 (already issued), April 2, July 3, and October 5. Any claims about February GST payments are completely false and potentially part of scam operations designed to steal your personal information. These false claims have been spreading rapidly across social media platforms, creating confusion that scammers exploit through phishing emails and fraudulent websites requesting banking details.
Q: What government benefits ARE actually paid in February, and how can I tell the difference?
Several legitimate government benefits do have February payment dates, which explains some of the confusion. In February 2026, you might receive: Canada Child Benefit (February 20), Canada Pension Plan payments (February 25), Old Age Security (February 25), Ontario Trillium Benefit (February 10), or Canada Disability Benefit (February 19). The key difference is that GST/HST credits are never among February payments. To verify which benefits you're entitled to and their payment schedules, log into your CRA My Account at canada.ca and check the "Benefits and credits" section. This official portal shows your exact payment history, upcoming dates, and amounts for all government benefits you receive.
Q: How much should I expect from real GST/HST credit payments, and what amounts indicate scams?
The maximum annual GST/HST credit for 2026 is $533 for single individuals (about $133 per quarterly payment), $698 for couples ($174 per quarter), with an additional $184 annually per child ($46 per quarter). If you see claims about receiving $628, $740, or $1,000 GST payments, these are red flags indicating misinformation or fraud. Your actual payment amount depends on your income and family situation from your previous year's tax return. Most Canadians receive significantly less than the maximum amounts. You can check your exact entitlement through your CRA My Account, where you'll see your payment history and can calculate what to expect in future quarters.
Q: What is the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, and when will it actually be available?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit was announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on January 27, 2026, but it's not available yet and won't arrive in February. This legitimate program includes a one-time payment scheduled for spring 2026 (no later than June) and will increase GST credits by 25% for five years starting July 2026. However, the benefit requires Parliamentary approval before any payments can be issued. Until Parliament passes the necessary legislation, no payments can be made. Anyone claiming you can receive this benefit now or in February is spreading false information. The benefit will be added to your regular GST payment schedule, not create new payment dates.
Q: How can scammers use false GST payment information to steal my personal data?
Scammers exploit false GST payment expectations through sophisticated phishing operations. When people expect a payment that doesn't exist, they become vulnerable to fraudulent texts, emails, or websites claiming "Your GST payment is delayed - update your banking information to receive it." These fake communications appear official, often using CRA logos and language. Once you provide your Social Insurance Number, banking details, or personal information, scammers can file fraudulent tax returns in your name, apply for credit, access your bank accounts, or claim benefits you're entitled to receive. The CRA will never ask for personal information via email or text, and they never require you to "verify" banking details for payments you're already receiving.
Q: What are the warning signs that a GST payment claim is fraudulent or misleading?
Several red flags immediately identify fraudulent GST payment claims. First, any mention of GST payments in months other than January, April, July, or October is false - the CRA has never deviated from this quarterly schedule. Second, payment amounts over $200 for single individuals are highly suspicious, as most Canadians receive much less. Third, claims about "emergency GST payments," "special relief payments," or "bonus payments" don't exist in CRA programs. Fourth, any request to click links, provide banking information, or "verify" your details indicates a scam. Finally, urgent language claiming payments are "on hold" or require immediate action is a classic fraud tactic. Always verify benefit information directly through canada.ca rather than trusting social media posts or unofficial websites.
Q: How do I protect myself and verify legitimate government benefit information?
The most reliable protection is using official government sources for all benefit information. Create a CRA My Account at canada.ca to access your real payment schedule, amounts, and benefit history. Sign up for official email reminders sent one week before each quarterly GST payment - this helps you distinguish real payments from scam attempts. Never click links in unexpected benefit-related emails or texts; instead, go directly to canada.ca and log in to check your account. If you encounter suspicious benefit claims, report them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or 1-888-495-8501. Share accurate information with family and friends to help them avoid scams, and remember that legitimate government announcements appear on official websites before anywhere else.