Protect Yourself Against Immigration Fraud
Unfortunately, fraud is a common issue in our sector. Many unscrupulous individuals and companies offer immigration services in exchange for money, only to disappear with the funds or misuse clients’ identities for criminal purposes. Learn how to protect yourself.
CHECK IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE HERE
Here are the five main warning signs to watch for when dealing with a potential immigration representative:
1. You receive an unsolicited phone call or email
If you receive an email or call from someone claiming to be a lawyer, immigration consultant, or representative of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) without having requested it, it could be a scam. Unless you have previously submitted an assessment or contacted one of these parties, they are highly unlikely to reach out to you spontaneously.
2. You cannot find the company or firm online
All Canadian firms and businesses have some form of online presence, typically through social media like Facebook and their official websites. If you cannot find the company or the firm of the person contacting you on Google, or if the website seems suspicious, it may be a scam. Also, check the email domain. If it’s from a generic provider like Gmail or Hotmail, that’s a major red flag. Legitimate businesses typically do not use personal email addresses for professional matters.
Suspicious website signs:
-
The site offers special deals for immigration, guaranteed entry to Canada, or fast-tracked application processing.
-
The URL in your browser’s address bar is different from what you typed. This may indicate redirection to a fraudulent site.
-
The website lacks a “Contact Us” page, or the information on this page is invalid.
-
Any page requesting personal information should display a lock icon and begin with “https://”. This indicates that the page has an SSL certificate to encrypt and secure the information provided.
3. You are promised a guaranteed job or visa
No one can guarantee a job or visa for Canada. Only immigration officers in Canada, at embassies, high commissions, and consulates, can decide on visa issuance. Be wary of people promising guaranteed visas or jobs for an extra fee—this is a clear sign of fraud.
4. You are asked to deposit money into a personal bank account or pay via unusual methods
Payments to a legitimate immigration lawyer or consultant—or to the Government of Canada—are never made to personal bank accounts. Secure online payments through an official website are the standard.
5. Your representative cannot prove their accreditation
Only licensed lawyers and regulated immigration consultants are authorized to accept payment for Canadian immigration services.
Lawyers:
Canadian lawyers are registered with the bar association of the province where they practice. They must be able to provide proof of accreditation.
Immigration Consultants:
Citizenship or immigration consultants must be members of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). A registry of all licensed Canadian consultants is available online. It is illegal for an unregulated consultant to provide immigration services for a fee.
What to do if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud?
If you are in Canada:
Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Toll-free: 1-888-495-8501
If you are abroad:
Report the scam to your local police.
To find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada, complete our free online assessment.
