Scammers target just about
anyone. That includes immigrants. Scammers are taking advantage of the current
turmoil of the changes in federal policy regarding immigration to take your
money or get your personal information.
Recently, The U.S. Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) warned the public about scammers identifying themselves
as being from “U.S Immigration” demanding victims provide or verify personal information.
The scammers claim that the individual has become a victim of identity theft. The
scammers often spoof the DHS Office of Inspector General hotline
(1-800-323-8603) to lend legitimacy.
Also, The Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) has issued an alert warning of another twist that scammers are
using against immigrants.
Scammers are calling immigrants
in the US, claiming to be from the Canadian Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada (IRCC) telling the victims that they are under
investigation, or there is some sort of legal case against them. The scammers
spoof the caller ID so that victims think the call is from IRCC. Bottom line,
as usual, to make all of this trouble go away, the scammers demand that the
victim send money, right away via money transfer or prepaid gift card.
According to the FTC, the IRCC
handles immigration issues in Canada. The IRCC does not take payment by phone,
money transfer or prepaid gift cards. Also, the FTC says that the IRCC does not
call people in the US.
Federal Trade Commission:
Like with most other scams, if
you receive a phone call asking for your personal information or demanding
immediate payment, just hang up.
If you have a question about your
immigration status as a result of a scammer’s phone call, go to,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services:
or
Northwest Immigrant Rights
Project:
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