Scammers thrive on preying on people’s weaknesses. They have found a new way to single out their victims. They have faked the number of the IRCC using caller ID spoofing, so it looks like you’re getting a legitimate call. When you pick up the phone, it’s not – they’re threatening people with investigation or saying there’s a legal case against them. By throwing around legal terms like “affidavit” and “allegations,” they’re betting that you’ll be intimidated into paying up. We’ve mentioned before that scammers like to snatch cash via money transfer or prepaid gift card, and, surprise! The IRCC doesn’t accept either of those methods of payment.
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada is a Canadian agency that facilitates the arrival of immigrants to Canada and helps them settle in. If they call, they won’t ask for you to confirm personal information that you may have given on an immigration application, like a date of birth or passport number. They definitely don’t threaten to arrest or deport people. In fact, the real IRCC isn’t even calling people in the U.S. at all!
If you get a call like this and are concerned, there are a few steps you can take:
- Call the USCIS. If you’ve gone through – or are currently going through – U.S. immigration, give their National Customer Service Center a call at 1-800-375-5283. Calling them directly ensures that you’re reaching the real deal and not a scammer, and you can ask if there’s anything to do about your case or status. You can also make an InfoPass appointment to talk with someone.
- Check out . If you’re going through Canada’s immigration process, this is a powerful resource against scam.
- Don’t send money. Seriously, put the gift card down. Learn how to pay fees, depending on what you’re applying for and where you’re coming from.
As always, it’s important to report this information to the FTC. Not only does it enable them to investigate these scams, it helps them warn others who could fall victim. When in doubt, hang up and report these calls.
What is Branded Calling?
Business owners: If your customers don’t recognize your number, they likely won’t answer. It’s frustrating and costs your business valuable connections. The solution? INFORM® Branded Calling from First Orion. It’s a smarter, more transparent way for brands of all sizes to show who they are and why they’re calling right on the customer’s mobile display screen, which helps improve caller ID reputation and boost customer confidence. Want to learn more? Check out these commonly asked questions about Branded Calling.
