What kind of fraud specifically targets immigrants?
Fraudsters are always on the lookout for loopholes and new victims. Because immigrants are exposed to so many new things, they often become the target of scams. That’s why you need to be vigilant throughout the immigration process and watch out for promises that sound too good to be true.
Here are a few examples of the most common scams that you should watch out for:
Immigration agent scam
Immigration is a complex undertaking, and there are many useful consultants and immigration agents who can guide you through the administration process. But beware of misrepresentation: ill-intentioned people may try to pass themselves off as specialists with accreditations and send you false documents.
How do you verify the status of an immigration agent in Canada?
If you’re interested in working with an immigration consultant,
first make sure that they’re listed in the Public
Register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
(CICC), either as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
(RCIC) or as a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor
(RISIA). In the register, also check that their status is “active” and
not “revoked” or “suspended.”
To get their hands on your money, ill-intentioned people will claim to be consultants. They’ll tell you that their services will make the immigration process easier and faster – or even guarantee your acceptance into Canada – but they’ll never deliver the promised results. They may ask you for money for a number of reasons:
- To begin the application process (registration deposit).
- To obtain immigration application guides or forms that are actually free.
- To expedite your visa application or guarantee your approval.
- To attend fake programs that they say are mandatory.
Before contacting a specialist, it’s a good idea to:
- Read disciplinary notices in the Disciplinary Proceedings and Tribunal section of the CICC website.
- Ask for references and read comments from previous clients online.
- Compare the fees charged.
- Always use the contact information listed in the CICC registry to contact your chosen consultant.
Good to know: The same advice applies if you’re looking to hire an immigration lawyer. Where can you find these experts? Search the registry for the province you reside in. In Quebec, for example, you can search the Barreau du Quebec directory: Find a lawyer | Barreau du Quebec.
Get advice with complete peace of mind: Our legal advisors can help you verify the status and legitimacy of the specialist you wish to deal with, and they can answer any questions you may have about the immigration process. This service is included in our offer for newcomers.
Fraud targeting international students
People coming to study in Canada are also at risk of being targeted by fraudsters. These scammers may make false promises concerning things such as:
- Obtaining Canadian government scholarships.
- The study permit process.
What you need to know to protect yourself from fraud:
- The Canadian government’s scholarship programs and application process are free of charge and do not require a deposit.
- The Canadian government will never use a private money transfer company to collect money from you.
- Never use social networks to share official documents or personal information, or to make a payment.
- Validate the websites you use by checking that they’re secure addresses beginning with “https,” that the address is actually linked to the organization and that it’s free of spelling errors.
- Beware of promises such as guaranteed acceptance into the country, an accelerated process or guaranteed employment. Only the government can offer an accelerated process, as with the Student Direct Stream program.
Good to know: If you decide to use the services of an education agent, please note that the Canadian government does not accredit or endorse this type of specialist, nor are they authorized to advise on the immigration process. Education agents and advisors can be a useful resource to help you through the process, but you should find out about their qualifications and experience before dealing with them.
Government services and SIN fraud
Many ill-intentioned people falsely claim to be from a government department in order to scam their victims. They’ll make phone calls and send emails and text messages pretending to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or Service Canada.
To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, keep the following points in mind:
- Social Insurance Numbers (SINs) are unique to each person and must be protected. As such, you shouldn’t divulge it in unsecure communications or situations, especially by email or text message. As a general rule, be aware that a government agency will never contact you to ask for your SIN in order to verify your identity. For more information on protecting your SIN and when it’s safe to disclose it, visit the Government of Canada website.
- Payments or transfers of funds to government bodies should not be made by phone, email or text message. No official organization will require you to do so – or to make payments by prepaid debit or credit card, gift card or cryptocurrency.
- Want to contact an official organization? Visit the Government of Canada website to get their information and contact them directly.
What other types of fraud are common in Canada?
Fraudsters are creative and constantly developing new scams. Stay alert and informed so you don’t fall victim to their tactics.
To find out more: Here are other useful resources for recognizing and protecting yourself from common types of fraud in Canada.
→
Interac e-Transfer®: How to better protect
yourself against fraud
Interac
e-Transfers ® are
a simple and convenient way to transfer funds within Canada, whether
you’re sending money to family or buying a used item. Learn more about
it in this article.
→ Phishing:
How to recognize fraudulent communications
Phishing
refers to all forms of fraudulent communications aimed at obtaining
your personal information or installing malware on your electronic
devices. Here’s how to recognize these scams.
→ How
can you protect yourself against bank fraud?
Fraudsters use a variety of strategies to get their hands on
your banking information. Learn how to protect your online bank accounts.
→ Cryptocurrency
fraud: Pitfalls to avoid
Financial scams associated
with cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly common. How can you
detect and avoid them?
→ How
to avoid social media fraud
Everyone uses social
networks – including fraudsters! Find out how to use them safely.
→ How
to protect your email inbox from fraud
Your email
inbox is a gold mine for fraudsters. Here are some tips for protection
against their attacks.
→ How
to create a strong password
Check out these golden
rules for creating strong, secure passwords.
→ This Cyber Security Toolkit for Newcomers to Canada will help you develop other good habits to protect yourself from fraud.
What should you do if you’re a victim of fraud in Canada?
No matter how careful you are, nobody is immune to fraud. If you become the victim of a scam, stay calm and take the following steps immediately.
What should you do if you fall victim to fraud?
Here’s what you should do to report fraud and take control of the situation as quickly as possible:
- Notify both credit agencies (Equifax and TransUnion) that you’ve been a victim of fraud so that an alert can be placed in your file.
- Contact your financial institution and credit card companies to notify them. If money has been stolen, check with them to see if you’re entitled to a refund. They can also advise you on the next steps to take.
- Lock your debit and credit cards if necessary, and close your bank accounts if possible.
- Change your passwords.
- Switch off malware-infected devices and don’t use them again until they’ve been reset by an IT specialist.
- Notify the companies behind the fraudulent transactions. They may investigate on their own.
- Contact the authorities to file a police report and help apprehend the fraudsters.
- Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Check your bank and credit accounts (cards, lines of credit) regularly.
Being vigilant and staying informed is the key to staying ahead of scammers and avoiding their traps. By following these tips, you’ll be more likely to keep your personal information and accounts safe.
Our legal specialists can answer all your immigration questions in complete safety. Take advantage of their free support by signing up for our offer for newcomers.