Edmonton man claims a tax consultant took his $32,000 refund and the CRA was no help

An Edmonton elder says he’s had a $32,000 taxation rebate stolen from him by a taxation advisor who had entree to his account.

Bruce Currie hired an autarkic taxation advisor to assistance record his taxes 2 years ago.

“She said I should bash this disablement taxation credit,” said Currie. He said helium notified the advisor helium would record for that recognition connected his own.

In December, helium said the Canada Revenue Agency approved him receiving the credit.

“Because I was approved 100 per cent, they are going to springiness maine backmost the taxes I had paid implicit 10 years,” said Currie.

On December 18th, helium received an email from the CRA to cheque his online account.

That’s erstwhile helium discovered a $14,000 refund was deposited to a slope relationship helium didn’t recognize.

Currie claims the advisor went into his CRA account, filed his 2023 taxes, past changed his code and banking accusation to hers.

He reported it to the constabulary and the Canada Revenue Agency, past corrected his information.

But it happened again.

“The CRA told maine that the wealth was deposited into the ‘account of record’ from the clip the assessments were done,” said Currie.

Currie said the CRA assured him the contented was fixed, but a 3rd deposit went missing conscionable past week.

“They’re allowing it to happen, they’re saying ‘Oh here, instrumentality Mr. Currie’s money,’” helium said.

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His MP,  Heather McPherson of Edmonton Strathcona, said her bureau is often asked to assistance with CRA concerns.

“This circumstance, that mistake was not fixed. And, you know, evidently the implications connected this are rather severe,” said McPherson.

The Edmonton Police Service told Global News determination is an ongoing fraud investigation, but charges person not been laid.

Global News reached retired to the Canada Revenue Agency 20 days agone for remark connected this story, erstwhile we archetypal started looking into it. The authorities bureau replied connected Wednesday with instructions connected however to study fraud.

Currie is near wondering if helium volition suffer much money.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns phishing and fraud is communal during taxation season.

“Verify your nonstop deposit accusation regularly. Make definite that your benefits are getting paid, that your code hasn’t changed,” said Jeff Horncastle, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre lawsuit and connection outreach officer.