# Scams That Target Newcomers to Canada, and How to Report Them

> Fake IRCC and CRA calls, phishing texts, tax schemes and unlicensed consultants: what the government will never ask, and where to report a scam.

- Canonical URL: https://canadatest.ca/blog/newcomer-scams-canada
- Published: 2026-11-09
- Updated: 2026-11-09
- Independent; not affiliated with the Government of Canada.

## Quick Answer

IRCC and the Canada Revenue Agency won't threaten to arrest or deport you, and they won't ask you to pay with gift cards. A call, text or email that does is a scam, and [IRCC's page on fraud targeting newcomers](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/newcomers.html) lists the other signs. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

> **Last verified: November 9, 2026** against IRCC's and the CRA's fraud pages and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's reporting page.

Scammers know that newcomers are still learning how Canadian government offices and companies work. IRCC puts it plainly: when you're new to Canada, ["you may not be used to how companies or the government do business"](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/newcomers.html). This guide covers the scams IRCC and the CRA warn about most, what each one will never ask you to do, and where to report a scam.

## Common scams aimed at newcomers

### People pretending to be IRCC or the CRA

Someone calls or emails, says you did something wrong (like not filing the right paperwork), and tells you to pay a fee or [lose your immigration status or be deported](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/newcomers.html). IRCC says this is a scam: it will never threaten to deport you over outstanding fees.

Don't give out your unique client identifier (UCI) or file number. Caller ID isn't proof either: IRCC warns that scammers can fake a government agency's phone number so it looks real.

IRCC does sometimes phone people, for example to ask for more information about an application. Its agents [always identify themselves, and IRCC will never ask you for any sort of payment by telephone](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/internet-email-telephone.html).

### Phishing emails and text messages

These messages send you to a website that asks for your passwords or banking details. Don't click the links or reply. If a text tells you to reply "stop", delete it instead, because replying confirms your number is real. IRCC suggests [forwarding spam texts to 7726](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/newcomers.html) (SPAM on most keypads) so your phone provider can block the sender.

### Tax schemes

Someone offers to cut your taxes or get you benefits you don't qualify for. A common pitch to newcomers is that you can claim benefits for the time before you arrived. IRCC says that's incorrect: [Government of Canada benefit and credit payments can only be claimed for periods after you arrive](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/newcomers.html). If you take part, you must repay the money and can face penalties, court fines or jail time. You're responsible for your tax return even if someone else prepares it.

### Representatives who overpromise

[You don't need a representative to prepare and submit an immigration or citizenship application](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigration-citizenship-representative/change-cancel.html), and IRCC's [forms and guides are free on its website](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/internet-email-telephone.html). If you do hire someone, IRCC tells you to [beware of representatives who](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/internet-email-telephone.html):

- advertise their services as free and later ask you to pay
- promise guaranteed approval on an immigration or citizenship application
- claim they can get you a faster biometrics appointment for a fee
- tell you to lie on your application

A paid representative must be authorized. Immigration and citizenship consultants must be members of the [College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants](https://www.college-ic.ca/protecting-the-public/find-an-immigration-consultant), which lets you look up a consultant. Lawyers and notaries must belong to a provincial or territorial law society, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec. [IRCC's page on authorized representatives](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigration-citizenship-representative/choose/authorized.html) links each one.

### Citizenship test "shortcuts"

Be wary of anyone selling a guaranteed pass on the citizenship test. The test is based on Discover Canada, the [free official study guide](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/test/study.html). You can practise for free with our [10-question practice test](https://canadatest.ca/free-practice-test), which explains every answer, but no one can promise you'll pass.

## What IRCC will never do

[IRCC employees will never](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/newcomers.html):

- ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account
- rush you into paying fees right away
- ask you to pay with prepaid credit cards, Western Union, MoneyGram, gift cards or similar services
- threaten to arrest or deport you, or send police to arrest you for unpaid fees
- offer special deals to people who want to immigrate
- promise that your file will be approved if you send more money or information
- contact you from free email services like Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo Mail

IRCC also says it [never starts a conversation through social media](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/internet-email-telephone.html).

## What the CRA will never do

[The CRA will not](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/recognize-scam.html):

- send refunds or payments by e-transfer or text message
- accept or make payments in cryptocurrency
- demand or pressure you to pay right away by Interac e-Transfer, cryptocurrency, prepaid credit card or gift card
- threaten to deport or arrest you, or put you in prison
- use aggressive or threatening language
- set up an in-person meeting in a public place to collect a payment
- charge a fee to speak with a call centre agent
- ask for personal or financial information in a voicemail or email

## How to report a scam

[IRCC's reporting page](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/report-fraud.html) sends you to different places depending on what happened:

- **Any phone, text, email or online scam:** report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The CAFC takes reports [online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca](https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca/), and you can report anonymously.
- **You gave out personal or financial information:** contact your local police or the RCMP as well.
- **The scam was about your immigration status or application:** also contact IRCC's Client Support Centre.
- **The scam was about your taxes or benefits:** also [report it to the CRA](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/report-scam.html).
- **A representative lied or cheated:** report them to IRCC, and file a complaint with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants or their law society.

IRCC says its goal is [to find and stop the people committing fraud, not punish the people who were misled](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/report-fraud.html).

## A short checklist

- Never pay anyone with a gift card, cryptocurrency or a transfer to a personal account because a caller says you owe the government money.
- Hang up, then check your application or tax account yourself on the official website.
- Keep your UCI, file number, SIN and banking details to yourself unless you contacted the office.
- Check that any paid representative is licensed before you pay them.
- Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, even if you didn't lose money.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does IRCC ever call people?**

Yes. IRCC may phone you to ask for more information about an application or to follow up on fees or loans, and its agents always identify themselves. It will never ask for any sort of payment over the phone.

**Can I pay the CRA with gift cards or cryptocurrency?**

No. The CRA doesn't accept or make payments in cryptocurrency, and it never demands or pressures you to pay right away by gift card, prepaid credit card or Interac e-Transfer.

**How do I check that an immigration consultant is licensed?**

Look them up with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Lawyers and notaries must belong to a provincial or territorial law society or the Chambre des notaires du Québec, and most law societies let you check membership online.

**Can I claim Canadian benefits for the time before I arrived?**

No. IRCC says Government of Canada benefit and credit payments can only be claimed for periods after you arrive. Anyone who says otherwise is promoting a tax scheme.

**Will reporting a scam affect my immigration application?**

IRCC says its goal is to find and stop the people committing fraud, not to punish the people who were misled.

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Next step: [find out when you may be eligible for citizenship](https://canadatest.ca/tools/physical-presence-calculator) with the free physical presence calculator.

Informational only; not legal or immigration advice. Official source for citizenship rules and fees: IRCC https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html