Feds pay BC woman nearly $9K for job she never worked

Vanita Lindsay was paid $8,816.20 for a job she never worked.

About a year ago, the stay-at-home mom from Shawnigan Lake, BC, decided to apply for a federal government job that would allow her to work from home.

He was added to the hiring pool and then asked to take several online tests. In July, she was given an interview and offered a clerk position at a call center for the Canada Pension Plan.

After spending 20 years out of the workforce and living with a chronic illness, Lindsay began to reconsider just days before starting her new job.

“I emailed the next morning and said: ‘I’m sorry, this has nothing to do with you or anything like that, but I can’t do the job.’ “That’s what I thought,” Lindsay said, “Then go ahead and enjoy your summer.”

Fast forward to August 14th, when he checked his online banking.

“I said, ‘Oh my God, they paid me,'” Lindsay said.

He immediately emailed his future supervisor but did not receive a response. Two weeks later he got paid again.

He has now sent numerous emails and made numerous phone calls, only to be told the issue has been resolved or is currently being investigated. Money continues to flow amid mixed messages.

“I put it all in a different account because it’s not my money,” Lindsay said.

The family is trying to repay the money but to no avail.

“I don’t need that money because of my husband’s career,” Lindsay said. “This money should go to someone who is struggling to care for their child.”

He worries the family will fall into a higher tax bracket and the extra income could affect drug and child tax benefits.

“It’s so funny and weird and a little bit complicated,” Lindsay said.

CTV News reached out to the federal government for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.

Meanwhile, Lindsay wants her paychecks stopped.

“I want this done because it’s ridiculous,” Lindsay said.