Help Jennifer Reclaim Life & Truck After Fraud Closure

Jen Hiltz and her daughter Abigail have been through a difficult and traumatic experience that has upended their lives. Jen is a hard-working single mom who has always strived to build a secure future for her now 7 year old daughter. However, in the past few years, she became the victim of a terrible crime that has left her emotionally and financially strained.

In 2021, Jen became friends with a fraudster and his partner in crime. At first, they seemed like trustworthy people, enough so that Jen rented space in their garage to store her food trailer and other expensive equipment for her business. It wasn’t until October 2022 that Jen discovered the shocking truth when she received a call from Prefera Finance, which informed her that nearly $50,000 in loans had been taken out in her name for SeaDoos—loans Jen had no knowledge of.

As Jen looked deeper into the situation, she uncovered more fraudulent activity. This family man had manipulated her into providing personal information, including her driver’s license details, under the pretense of helping her apply for a job with SkipTheDishes. Unfortunately, they used that information to apply for loans in Jen’s name, totaling nearly $95,000. It was a devastating betrayal from people she had trusted.

Jen immediately reached out to the police, but despite their acknowledgment that fraud had occurred, no charges were filed. Jen has been left to deal with the aftermath: her credit was damaged, her financial security shattered, and her trust in others broken. Faced with ongoing harassment, her only choice was to uproot her life and move to another community in hopes of finding peace and safety. While the loans were eventually removed from her credit reports, the emotional and financial toll of the situation remains with her as well as the loss of her self built business; Moonchild Vegan Eatery.

The fraudsters behind her ordeal are not new to crime. As detailed in a recent article by CTV journalist Ian Holliday, Jen’s story is part of a larger pattern of deceit linked to a man with a notorious reputation and a long criminal history that stretches across multiple provinces and spans decades.

Jen has sought legal counsel and explored options to hold those responsible accountable, but the financial and emotional burden of pursuing justice has been overwhelming. As a single mother, she is doing her best to care for Abigail, work 2 jobs that almost pay the bills, and rebuild her life—but the stress is constant, and the road back to the life she once had is a long one.

The funds raised through this campaign will go toward covering her legal fees, paying off inccured bills, and most importantly, helping her reopen her business. The largest barrier she faces in reopening is affording the maintenance and repairs of her food trailer that has been forced to sit dormant through multiple seasons, pay for new licenses fees, renew insurance and the large deposits required to regain the trust lost by vendors during the fraud, as well as to purchase the inventory needed to once again serve the vegan masses who have dearly missed her food! This is the path that leads her back to the stability and peace of mind she once had.

With the generous contributions, no matter how small from kind-hearted individuals, Jen hopes to put this painful chapter behind her and move forward, focusing on healing and creating a brighter future for her and her daughter.

Thank you for taking the time to read Jen’s story and for considering offering your support during this difficult time.

SPECIAL THANKS

We would like to extend a special thanks to CBC News' Claire Palmer, the first to tell Jen's story almost 2 years ago. (Link to article below)

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ian Holliday at CTV News. The profound effect of Ian’s work cannot be overstated. His article exposing the full scope of the fraud and betrayal so many others endured, is a validation Jen has long deserved whether she realised it or not.

Thank you both for your tireless dedication to the uncovering and sharing truth.

Please read the original article by Claire Palmer and the full two-part article by Ian Holliday (Jen's story is in part 2) at the links below.

Claire Palmer article

Ian Holliday Part 1

Ian Holliday Part 2