IRCC Celebrates Fraud Prevention Month to Spread Awareness Among Canadian Immigrants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been celebrating the month of March as Fraud Prevention Month to spread awareness among the newcomers of Canada about various kinds of scams, especially regarding phone banking. The target audience for such an initiative remains the immigrants, although Canadian citizens are encouraged to participate in this celebration. According to reports from the Canadian-Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), the number of fraudulent phone calls from individuals who pretend to be banks or any other financial institution has increased considerably in the last year. 

Increased number of immigration Scams is frightening

In as small a period as between the January and September of 2022, the number of reported phone scams is 2,769, which was 2,212 in the previous year. For newcomers, these kinds of banking scams are specifically frightening since they are less aware of the official processes and, most of the time, financially unstable. Moreover, since the immigration process largely depends on monetary investigations like the proof of funds, this kind of scam targets them a lot more than usual. 

How to Report Immigration Fraud in Canada

Immigrants will do well to avoid any frightening Tele-calls especially those asking for gratification

To avoid these mishaps, the newcomer should always stay calm in receiving a phone call that threatens them to send money for any immigration-related process. If you are confused and don’t understand what the right thing to do is, it is always advisable to stop yourself from reacting or responding to the demands of the call. Moreover, even sharing any information with the caller is proscribed. Always remember that IRCC will never ask for any details about fees or such on phone calls. Always try to call the official agents of the institution to clarify the situation. Make sure you have the number from the official sites. Finally, do not click on any links you get through text messages since they can leak your sensitive information. 

Other Useful resources to stay protected from Immigration Scams:

1. How Canadian Scamsters targetting International Students

2. If going to Join any College in Canada as International Student, check out for Scamsters

3. Common Immigration Scams you need to watch out for

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Aishani Pande

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