The Canada Revenue Agency is cracking down on fraudulent Canada Child Benefit Claims (“CCB”).
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment that pays up to $569.41 per month to assist parents with the cost of raising a child. You can apply online on the CRA website. But it is open to fraudulent claims.
Earlier this year a Cornwall, Ontario resident was convicted of fraud for having used CRA’s online portal to create profiles for eight fictitious children in order to claim $122,534 in CCB payments over a 3 year period. When the bank closed his account, he then opened another account in his partner’s name and applied for CCB benefits in her name, without her knowledge, for two more fictitious children. He was sentenced to 11 months home confinement, followed by 11 months curfew and 3 years probation, and ordered to repay $130,575.
Last week, another guy in Montreal was convicted for operating a similar scheme where he received $144,821.00 by claiming CCB benefits for 12 fictitious children. He was given a conditional sentence of two years less a day followed by three years of probation and ordered to repay the $144,821.
The CRA is serious about cracking down on fraudulent claims. They have an online “snitch” program where you can report suspected fraud and a “snitch” line ( 1-866-809-6841) where you can report a benefit cheat by phone.
Click here for information on the snitch program
The CRA also monitors what you post on Facebook and other social media.
So for anyone thinking about making a fictitious claim, forget it. The CRA will find you and prosecute you.