Overview of Canadian Immigration Frauds and Scams!

Over the past few years, Canada Immigration has faced a severe emergence of fraudulency and scam practices nationally and internationally. Many fraudulent agencies have grown in various parts of India, making false commitments and accepting applications with fake documents. Many scams have surfaced due to the active intervention by Canadian agencies and authorities to crack down on these maligning activities. One such evident action is incorporating the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CCIC), which regulates and manages the Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs). It also helps to investigate and hunt down fraudulent practices of illegal immigration consultants worldwide.

What types of fraud should newcomers to Canada watch out for?

• If you plan to apply to Canada Immigration , you should be aware of certain types of fraud. Scam artists posing as government officials call people and scare them by saying there is no proper paperwork) and that they owe fees.
• Always remember, IRCC will never reach you over the phone to collect fees or fines, be aggressive or threaten you, ask for personal information over the phone, ask for financial information, ask you to pay fees or send police to arrest you for unpaid fees.
• Once you land in Canada, you may encounter a fake email trap asking you to invest your money or provide personal information.
• You may get a phone call or email explaining that your desktop/laptop has been infected with a virus. The caller will try to get your computer passwords and other private information.
• Another scam in Canada is the fake prize. It is probably a scam if you get a phone or SMS saying that you won something but did not enter a contest.

Must know the risks of using an unlicensed consultant:

• Before taking the services of immigration consultants, always ensure that those consultants are registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
• Only a licensed consultant can give you advice and assistance on Canadian immigration for a specific fee.
• Unlicensed consultants do not have the training, skills, and ethical standards to consult an immigration aspirant.
• Choosing a fraud visa agent can spoil your immigration dreams, and you will lose your money for the services you were promised but never received
• You end up applying for a program you do not qualify for, blemishing your visa record and rendering you inadmissible to Canada.
• A fraud visa agent may ask you to hide vital information or submit fake documents to increase your chances. However, choosing this method will result in a permanent ban with a penalty for unlicensed consultants.

Using an immigration representative – Do it right.

• The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is the official regulator of immigration consultants. And IRCC only accepts applications submitted by licensed consultants.
• Make sure you do thorough background research before choosing an immigration agent. You must check the CICC website to see whether your intended agent is registered with them or not.
• You can also read the online reviews on platforms such as Google Review, Trustpilot, Glassdoor, etc., to know their credibility.
• You can also visit their office and ask questions about the representative’s experience, education, and training in the immigration industry.
• Check whether the representative is authorized to represent your case to the IRCC.
• Maintain absolute transparency in the initial process; never hand over your case to anyone who does not care to answer your queries.

Protect yourself: detecting, avoiding, and reporting immigration scams.

• Applicants can protect themselves from scams by remembering that processing fees for Canadian Visa Services are the same worldwide. The application fees in local currencies are based on official exchange rates; moreover, IRCC does not accept gift cards or Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, etc., as fees.
• Be careful of representatives who charge fees for supporting documents, such as Labour Market Impact Assessments , job offer letters, etc.
• IRCC employees will never ask applicants to deposit money into a bank account, offer special deals, contact you via social media, or threaten to remove you from Canada if you do not send money.
• If you wish to apply to Canada Immigration, you do not need to hire an immigration lawyer or consultant. If you do your research, you can apply independently and find free application forms and guides for all IRCC services. You can take their services if you do not want to undergo the rigorous process.
• You can report a scam or fraud to the authorities by contacting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online. Outside of Canada, you can report the scam to your local police. You can reach the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-Free Line or online for any suspicious activity at the border.

Important information on using immigration or citizenship consultants – Key Tips:

• Ask trusted people (friends/family) who have been through the immigration process for suggestions. And do your research – read reviews, testimonials, and compare options online.
• If you hire a paid representative, you must ensure they are registered with CICC by checking their membership or license numbers on the websites.
• IRCC does not deal with a representative who charges a fee but is not a member of the CICC.
• Applicants must be ready to ask about these consultants’ certifications and professional development.
• Get a written agreement and read it carefully before taking their services. Check the valid name and contact of the representative, inquire about the services offered, fees they will charge, refund policy, duration of the contract, and other clauses
• Beware of false promises like guaranteed approvals, quicker processing, or special treatment by IRCC.
• Avoid making payments in cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. In contrast, use secure methods like checks, credit cards, or online banking, and always request a receipt.

Read Full Article at : https://blog.abhinav.com/overview-of-canadian-immigration-frauds-and-scams/ .

If you have any questions, please reach out to our immigration specialist by calling 8595338595 or sending an email to [email protected] .