How to check an immigration call, text or email

End the contact safely

• Do not click the link, open the attachment or install an app.
• Do not read out a one-time code, password, bank login or full card number.
• Do not rely on caller ID. End the call and find the agency's official contact page yourself.
• Keep the message, envelope headers, phone number and payment instructions as evidence.

Threats and urgent payment

Canada's immigration department says it will not contact you to collect fees or fines by telephone, threaten arrest or deportation, or demand gift cards, cryptocurrency or money transfer ¹.

The US FTC says government impersonators may claim you owe money, have missed jury duty or face account problems. It says real agencies will not contact you through calls, email, text or social media to demand money or personal information ².

Email and website clues

An official-looking logo or sender name is not proof. Open a new browser window and type the published government address. Do not use the link in the message.

GOV.UK says it will never ask for visa payment by cash or money transfer. It directs visa and immigration scam reports to Report Fraud, with Police Scotland on 101 for reports in Scotland ³.

If the message claims to be from Australia

Australia's Department of Home Affairs warns about people pretending to be government officials and asking for money or personal details. It says to use information from its website and not to give personal or banking details to an unsolicited caller ⁴.

If you already responded

• Call your bank immediately if money or card details were involved.
• Change any password you disclosed or reused.
• Contact the real immigration authority through its published website.
• Report the incident through your national fraud or cybercrime route.
• Tell the authority if the message included a real application number or passport details.