Now it’s your turn!
Newcomer Scam
People posing as Government of Canada staff. A person poses as a government official on the telephone. They call people and try to scare them by saying they have done something wrong (like not filing proper paperwork), and that they owe fees. They may say the person can lose their immigration status or be deported if they do not pay right away. These people may even threaten someone’s family or home.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will never:
- contact you over the telephone to collect fees or fines
- be aggressive or threaten to arrest or deport you
- threaten to harm you or a member of your family, or damage your home or property
- ask for personal information over the phone (except to verify information you already gave us)
- ask for financial information over the phone
- try to rush you into paying right away
- ask you to pay fees using prepaid credit cards, Western Union, Money Gram, gift cards, or any other similar services, or
- send police to arrest you for unpaid fees.
The scammer wants you, the newcomer, to be so afraid that you do what they tell you to do. They frighten newcomers and immigrants by saying you have done something wrong (like not completing proper paperwork) and that you owe fees. They may tell you that you can lose your immigration status or be deported if you do not pay right away. They do this with a sense of urgency to comply. These scammers may threaten to arrest you and/or threaten your family or home. They want you to be too scared to think clearly.
Click the play button below to watch a video example:
The first step is to identify the fraud. In the video above, were you able to hear the clues in the story and detect the Newcomer Scam? The next step is to prevent the scammer from victimizing you or others. If you encounter a similar situation, use these tools to protect yourself from this type of fraud.
SPOT THE SCAM
Newcomer Scam Clues-
The Government of Canada will send me letters about my status and immigration.
-
Canada is a country of laws. Government officials will not threaten you or your family.
-
The Government of Canada does not call and ask for money.
Tips to spot a Newcomer Scam
STOP THE SCAM
Newcomer Scam Defence-
If anyone threatens you as a means of getting you to pay right away, stop and protect yourself by calling the Canadian Call Centre 1-888-242-2100
-
Do not transfer money by wire transfer or by gift card. Scammers want to be paid in those ways because the money is untraceable.
-
You can call 211 for more information.
Tips to stop a Newcomer Scam
