SCAM ... Unique Identification Number for Indians

[sava]

Hello,
We (My wife first and then I) received a call from a lady ("unknown" number) who tried to pull a scam on us by inquiring if we have an application in process with CIC. I told them that I don't have any application in process with CIC and that we already have received our Permanent Residency last year. Then she tried to threaten me with the usual stuff that we might loose our PR, and went a step further by stating that the Canadian High Commission in India has filed a report with the CIC on 22 Dec 2014 after trying to contact me for the "Unique Identification Number" (UIN) as it is missing in my file and that the case was now being handled by CIC in Ottawa. I then tried to inquire what this Unique Identification number is? She responded that like SIN in Canada a Unique Identification Number is provided in India. This was required by CIC/Canadian Government due to some "rule" changes. I suggested then that she might be looking for AADHAR number and told her that I can provide this number if necessary. She then completely lost it and started speaking very loudly saying " Sir, you need to listen to me. Let me finish. It is not a Indian Driver's License number, It is not an Income Tax identification number that is also referred to as PAN, and it is also not a Unique Identification number provided by the Indian Govt also referred to as AADHAR. This is different number." She then tried to threaten me that if the CIC's legal department calls me in the next 1 to 5 days and then I can't provide them the UIN then my stay in Canada could be jeopardized and it is a very serious matter. She then suggested that either I would have to fly back to India to take care of this in the next 5-10 days or they could send the case back to India and provide me with a case officer that would be coordinating things for me from here in Canada. At this point things got very confusing and unclear for me. I told her that if I needed to got to India to take care or this I can do that, no problem. But, I have to first figure out and know exactly what number it is that they are looking for. I asked her to give me her contact information so that I can find out what it is, and call her back before the end of day. She then said that she would forward my file to legal and copy/provide all the information in an e-mail to me which includes here contact information as well. She suggested that after going through the e-mail, I could call her if I have any questions. It has been 3 hours since the phone call but I haven't received any e-mail yet.

I have since then found out that it is a Scam, have reported this incident to the local police, informed the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre, and I'm sending an e-mail to CIC as well. I just wanted to share my experience so that whoever follows this forum is also aware of this kind of scams.

If you receive any such call, please don't give out ANY personal information (not even your current address, or phone numbers, and definitely not any sensitive information like Passport details, SIN, or any other similar information from India or in Canada). Ask the person their full name, agent id, and where they are located at politely, if they haven't already provided this information. Even if they have provided this information at the beginning of the call ask them to repeat it so that you can note it down. They should not be offended to provide this information, it is their duty and responsibility. Then you can contact CIC (even in an e-mail) to check it this is a genuine call or if it is a scam you can report it.

Regards
SaVa

 

[Kabir01]

Thanks Sava. Your post saved me.

I too received a call from a lady ("unknown" number) who tried to pull a scam on me by saying that Indian High Commission has filed a case against me for not having Unique Identification Number (UIN) and I need to travel to Indian in next 10-15 days to settle it otherwise my citizenship will suffer serious consequences. She asked if I can go to which I said no. She then said that they will assign a CIC lawyer on my behalf to handle my case and get the UIN for me. I was then connected to a lawyer who said that I she will handle the case for me and I should not mention about this to anyone as missing UIN is a serious issue and if people come to know about it then there will be serious consequences. After a bit of more conversation she then told me that I have to pay over 700 CDN at Canadian Post in her name and purpose as 'Billing'. She told me to go to Canadian Post right now while she will stay with me on the phone until I clear the payment as she needs the receipt number which I found pretty aggressive. Also paying money in her name was another red flag for me.

Fortunately I checked online and found that this is a scam. I disconnected the phone and called CIC and Canadian Anti Fraud Centre. Officer at the Anti Fraud Centre noted all details and told me that this is a big scam going around targeting Indo-Canadians. This scam started in US and now moved to Canada and unfortunately many people are losing money and identity information.

Whoever is reading this post please inform everyone you know. These guys are calling Indo-Canadian citizens, PR holders and people whose immigration files are under process.

 

[zardoz]

Well avoided. I'm sure it's an inside job... Too much accurate information about your case to be random.

 

[ZingyDNA]

Well avoided. I'm sure it's an inside job... Too much accurate information about your case to be random.

I always wondered how CIC could have such employees to leak personal info...

 

[EFK]

This is scary!! Thankyou all for the information.