Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of the vulnerable by charging fees in order the help them apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
Here in Vancouver, a scam has targeted at least 77 seniors. There are also reports from across the country that tax consultants are charging clients for help with CERB applications.
But right now, there is no explicit federal prohibition against charging fees to individuals in exchange for assistance with CERB applications or access to the benefit.
It is time to protect seniors. The federal government must enact a specific prohibition on fees charged in exchange for assistance accessing the CERB.