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More and more fake Canadian visa immigration websites are popping up, dashing the hope and dreams of candidates wanting to start their Canadian visa application process.
These fake websites claim to be legitimate representatives and trick unsuspecting applicants into parting with their hard-earned money by guaranteeing that they will receive their visas or devise ways to “phish” for your personal information and steal their identities.
”phishing” is when fraudulent companies try to get your confidential information through the internet or telephone, posing as official representatives, to retrieve your personal data.
Not all companies who ask for your personal information are scammers however It is, unfortunately, becoming more and more difficult to spot the difference between official and fraudulent websites and easier to be fooled. Scam artists are constantly devising new ways and tactics to swindle innocent people.
There are various things to look out for when deciding on an online immigration service to help you with your Canadian visa application. Have a look at these top 5 tips to spot fake or fraudulent websites and prevent getting hooked by these imposters.
How to Spot a Fake Immigration Website
1. Canadian Visas Guaranteed!
If a website says that they can guarantee that they can get you a visa, it's usually an indication that they may be a fraudulent website. A government-regulated and trusted immigration service will never promise that your visa will be approved, nor are they authorized to do so. A good immigration company will ensure that all of your documents are completed correctly, all supporting documents are submitted and will do their utmost to give you the best possible chance of success with regards to your Canadian visa application process. In fact, a great immigration company would not try to persuade a client to use their services even though they have a low chance of success. They would more than likely advise against it and leave it up to you to choose if you would like to take the next step.
2. Lock it Down!
A padlock in a URL is a sure sign that the website you are visiting is more than likely trustworthy. Legitimate companies use encryption or scrambling to help protect their client during the payment process. The padlock indicates that it is secure and if you click on the lock symbol you will be able to verify that the website has a security certificate.
Remember, looks can be deceiving, so even if the site looks well designed and official, it could easily be a fake website. It’s best to steer clear of these sites in general as you may be required to enter sensitive information via the website, that you wouldn’t want to end up in the wrong hands. This information, if retrieved, could be used in cases of identity theft, where scam artists will be able to use your details to create a fake identity and commit fraud.
If they are registered but are not in good standing, you will be able to see what the infringement is.
- Lawyers or notaries are required to be members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society of the Chambre des notaires du Québec; and
- Paralegals in Ontario must belong to the Law Society of Upper Canada.
3. Receiving an Email Advertising the Website
Have you received a random advertisement by email from a company that you’ve never heard of and did not ask for? Beware! These emails are often riddled with spelling mistakes, always contain a link to a website (that you should not click on) and often contain graphics (i.e. logos or text) with poor resolution. These websites are usually set up so quickly and the lack of quality will clearly show once you take a closer look. But don’t be tempted to do so. In fact, don’t even open the email as it may contain a virus. Simply delete and report it.
4. The Government Website is Bilingual
If you decide to take on the Canadian visa application process alone be sure that you are on the right website. Canada has two official languages and therefore offer the option of choosing between either language before entering the website. Most websites are set up rapidly and little care or time will be taken to engineer a website that has this functionality.
Please also note that a government website will never ask you to pay for application forms.
How Do I Report a Visa Violation?
The best way to report an incident of immigration fraud is to contact the CAFC (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre). You can either contact them telephonically or through their online tool known as the CAFC Fraud Reporting System.
You will be required to log in using a GC Key(user ID/Password) or using a Sign-In Partners login (banking credentials). This applies to those who bank with the following Sign-In Partners: BMO Financial Group, CHOICE REWARDS MasterCard , Tangerine, Scotiabank and TD Bank Group.
