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IRCC Shared Tips with International Students to Stay Safe from Fraud.
As a new batch of international students has landed in Canada for their studies, IRCC shared effective tips with them to stay safe from fraud. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is a federal department of Canada, responsible for facilitating the arrival of immigrants in the country. It helps newcomers by protecting refugees and easy settlement in Canada.
A new educational session in Canadian universities has started this month and a new batch of international students is settling in the country. For awareness and helping students to study in Canada, IRCC has cautioned students against the rising fraud in Canada.
IRCC shared in a social media post "Attention: #Newcomers - protect yourself from immigration fraud".
The most common scams that are aimed at international students in Canada with the tips to encounter them are mentioned below:
- Scammers posing as Government Officials
Scammers introduce themselves as government officials over the telephone. They may call to intimidate students by falsely claiming that they have committed an error and owe fees. They may threaten students for payment failure which can lead to immigration status loss or deportation.
Students Need to Remember:
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) never contacts students over the phone to collect fees or fines.
- Fake Emails
Students may receive unsolicited emails regarding money investments or disclose personal information related to bank accounts.
What to Do:
Students need to delete such emails. Legitimate investors never send such kinds of emails to unknown recipients. These emails may direct you to websites requesting personal information. Never share your bank account details and check the recipient's identity and the website's security.
- Fake Computer Virus Alerts
Scammers may call or email students, claiming your computer is infected with a virus. They aim to obtain private information and passwords from your computer by offering the removal of viruses.
What to Do:
Do not provide access to your computer to someone you never contacted for help. Choose professional computer repair services or install antivirus applications from trusted sources.
- Fake Prize Notifications
Students may receive calls or text messages stating that they have won a prize, even if they never participated in any contest.
What to Do:
While receiving a text or call from unfamiliar sources instructing you to enter personal information, do not respond or delete the message immediately. If you receive any message to reply with "STOP" or "NO" to avoid further texts, do not reply and delete the message. Scammers use this technique to verify your mobile number. Whenever you find a genuine text, ensure it directs you towards an authentic website.
These kinds of frauds are common these days. Students need to be aware of it while planning to study in top universities in Canada. While planning to study abroad, you can start your journey with Career Clinic to get step-by-step guidance and stay updated with the latest study abroad news.
