People who received money from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) despite being ineligible for the payment have already been giving the money back. 

CERB was designed to help Canadians who suffered a loss of income due to COVID-19, with taxable payments of $2,000 for up to four months.

However, it now appears that many people who claimed the payment weren’t actually entitled to receive it in the first place. 

This is how to pay back CERB if you shouldn't have received it in the first place https://t.co/OGk0MXV0FM

— blogTO (@blogTO) June 10, 2020

Speaking to CBC, a representative from the Canada Revenue Agency revealed that $190,000 in payments have already been given back through a portal on the CRA website. 

The spokesperson said:  "The CRA continues to aggressively pursue tax evasion and fraud with all the tools available to them."

"The CRA is dedicated to ensuring that individuals receive only those benefits to which they are entitled so that important benefit programs can be administered to those who need them."

Meanwhile, the CRA has also been investigating 600 tips from the public regarding cases of alleged CERB misuse. 

The representative added: "Any tips received will be reviewed for validity of the information provided."

Improper usage of CERB might result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or jail time.