Deanne Acres-LansOn Monday May 30th, 2016, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program website posted an important fraud warning.
They stated that some members of the public have been receiving calls from individuals on what appears to be the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program phone number (416-327-0374). The individuals are posing as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program staff and making requests for payments and in some cases are even threatening deportation.
It is important to note that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, as well as any other Canadian Immigration programs/branch, will never contact you via phone to make any type of payment over the phone. Do not make any payment over the phone or provide any payment details over the phone. Even though the number appear to be genuine, it is likely being “spoofed” and the caller is not related to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and is trying to defraud you.
If you receive a call from (416-327-0374) it may be fraudulent. Evaluate the call appropriately and ask yourself “do I have an application pending with them?”, “are they requesting money or unusual information?”, “are they able to provide my file number?”. Asking several important questions can usually uncover fraud. It is recommended that you “ask for the name of the agent calling, and then email the OINP at ontarionominee@ontario.ca to confirm whether the call was genuine.”
They have further warned to “never give out personal information such as account numbers, social insurance number (SIN), mother’s maiden name, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls.”
If you have received, or do receive one of these calls, hang up and contact the appropriate authorities and notify the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program immediately.
To report fraud, you can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 or through their website: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca