alijumani said:
It is fake they are trying to get money from you. My room mate got such type of call months ago and he agreed to pay money, but I told him its fake do not give any personal info to them nor money. When he was on call with that fake party I called CIC helpline from my phone and demonstrate the whole situation. The call centre agent told us that its fake and also encouraged us to file a complaint against them on RCMP website...
All:
It has come to attention that work permit visa/PR Processing applicants are being contacted by scammers. They are calling the individual’s cell phone / office land line and indicating that a complaint for failure to update your alien registration number has been filed and you need to come outside of the office to meet the officer. They make you believe that this is not the first time they have tried to reach you to get your personal data and to correct this problem. However, it is all a scheme to frighten you into providing thousands of dollars to them. They even call you from a phone number that appears to be from a genuine Canada Government agencies like CRA / CIC. It is intended that the phone number and threat of police interaction will frighten you into doing things that are illogical and that will negatively impact your life. They will tell you that they are sending officer(s) to your apartment or office location and that you must stay on the call and should not involve any other person in this situation. They will then expect you to transfer money to them from your bank account. In general, if you are legitimately contacted by CIC / CRA / the police department, they will provide all proper identification (which can and should be verified) and they will not be asking money for a “security deposit”, fees for Background Verification, or money for any other reason. Please be sure to think logically in such a situation before acting upon such a demand.
How Can I Recognize a Scam?
1. It sounds too good to be true
You've won a big prize in a contest that you don't recall entering. You're offered a once-in-a-lifetime investment that offers a huge return. You're told that you can buy into a lottery ticket pool that cannot lose.
2. You must pay or you can't play
"You’re a winner!" but you must agree to send money to the caller in order to pay for delivery, processing, taxes, duties or some other fee in order to receive your prize. Sometimes the caller will even send a courier to pick up your money.
3. You must give them your private financial information
The caller asks for all your confidential banking and/or credit card information. Honest businesses do not require these details unless you are using that specific method of payment.
4. Will that be cash... or cash?
Often criminal telemarketers ask you to send cash or a money order, rather than a cheque or credit card. Cash is untraceable and can't be cancelled. And, crooks also have difficulty in establishing themselves as merchants with legitimate credit card companies.
5. The caller is more excited than you are
The crooks want to get you excited about this "opportunity" so that you won't be able to think clearly.
6. The manager is calling
The person calling claims to be a government official, tax officer, banking official, lawyer or some other person in authority. The person calls you by your first name and asks you a lot of personal or lifestyle questions (like how often do your grown children visit you).
7. The stranger calling wants to become your best friend
Criminals love finding out if you're lonely and willing to talk. Once they know that, they'll try to convince you that they are your friend – after all, we don't normally suspect our friends of being crooks.
8. It's a limited opportunity and you're going to miss out
If you are pressured to make a big purchase decision immediately, it's probably not a legitimate deal. Real businesses or charities will give you a chance to check them out or think about it.
What can I do to protect myself?
Remember, legitimate telemarketers have nothing to hide
However, criminals will say anything to part you from your hard-earned money.
Be cautious. You have the right to check out any caller by requesting written information, a call back number, references and time to think over the offer.
Legitimate business people will be happy to provide you with that information. After all, they want the "bad guys" out of business too. Always be careful about providing confidential personal information, especially banking or credit card details, unless you are certain the company is legitimate. And, if you have doubts about a caller, your best defense is to simply hang up. It's not rude – it's smart.
If you're in doubt, it's wise to ask the advice of a close friend or relative, or even your banker. Rely on people you can trust. Remember, you can Stop Phone Fraud - Just Hang Up!
Lessons to be learned:
(1) If anyone tells you that they are an officer and that you need to come and meet them, you should immediately contact Attorney/Local police station. If they have you on a call, you can always send an email marked urgent.
(2) Do not ever go to meet anyone outside the building, especially if you are alone. Be sure to always have others with you or better yet, don’t go at all.
(3) If someone ask you for your bank details, you should immediately become suspicious. Tell them you have an emergency and cannot remain on the line. Ask for a number where you can call them back.
(4) Once you terminate the call, contact the police and give them the information that you have been provided.
(5) If someone tells you they are with the Police Department, they should always give you a badge number, precinct information, and their full name. If you are seeing them in person, ask to see the badge and then call the precinct to verify that they are a truly a police officer. Do not be afraid to question their validity. The true policeman will understand and not be offended if you “check them out”. If they wish to meet you, give them the address of your local police station and request that they meet you there – you don’t have to tell them that it is the police station.
(6) NEVER go to an ATM or to the bank to remove ANY money, nor should you transfer funds to another person from your account. The CIC/ CRA/ police will not ask you for your banking details and will not ask you for money. This should be an automatic RED flag to you.
(7) Be sure that you are checking the internet for the various scams that are being perpetrated on individuals who are on work visas.
Pl use the below link to report any scam. We are continuing to get reports of such cases. Be aware! If a scam comes to you, be sure to report it immediately.
How To Report Fraud
It's not always easy to spot a scam, and new ones are invented every day. If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already sent funds, don't be embarrassed - you're not alone. If you want to report a fraud, or if you need more information, contact The Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre:
Ways to report fraud
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) has launched a new online reporting tool. In order to file an online report with the CAFC, users are now required to sign-in with a GCKey.
The new online reporting tool has a timeout feature that will log users out if there is no activity within the reporting application for 20 consecutive minutes. After 19 consecutive minutes a message will pop-up asking the user to reset their session timer for another 20 consecutive minutes or logout. If the user is logged out the information will be lost.
On-line: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Toll Free: 1-888-495-8501
Toll Free Fax: 1-888-654-9426
Email: info@antifraudcentre.ca
Any idea how many Jan applicatns are still waiting for MR?
