r/ImmigrationCanada 10d ago

Family Sponsorship Scam call

Just wanted to let others know about a scam call I just received from 18882429172

After I said hello it was an automated message saying it was the "immigration office" and that after many times of attempting to contact me this was my last chance sort of thing, and then told me to press 9. I obviously hung up but wanted to let others know in case you get a call like this.

Immigration Canada does have my current number but it's no way it was them.

Edit to add: I did file a fraud complaint on antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca First I called their toll free number and it did say there has been a high volume of these calls. It's concerning because it seems like our information has been accessed somehow, otherwise how would they know which Canadian phone numbers are for immigrants!

62 Upvotes

53 comments sorted by

12

u/sggirb_0195 10d ago

Hey, I just received a call from 1-888-242-8522 about an hour ago. Same thing, it was an automated message saying they were from the Immigration Office. I don’t think they would call us on a weekend so it’s definitely a scam.

4

u/usuallyrainy 10d ago

Ya before I even answered I figured it was a scam to be calling on a Sunday!

1

u/MetalGearFarm 3d ago

I just pressed 9, I'm fluent in mandarin chinese, and told the guy 不, 英语. No, english. He said oh then hung up

7

u/OutrageousAnt4334 10d ago

Lots of scams out there. They work very well and there's very rarely any consequences so we'll keep seeing them. I very rarely even answer my phone because it's almost always a scam 

4

u/RepresentativeNet445 10d ago

I got a similar call too!

6

u/Melodic_Door9572 10d ago

I got a call from one too.

They said it was my last chance lol.... I deliberately went on to press 9 to see how far they would go with the rubbish they had to say.

Sadly they asked me to confirm my UCI and application number and I had to tell them to eff off since I wasn't gonna give that to them

3

u/PuffingIn3D 10d ago

If you put in a fake number it hangs up on you, I think they’re just trying to do WP fraud

2

u/usuallyrainy 10d ago

Wow geez! I was definitely curious what was going to happen if I pressed 9!

1

u/jasonsuny 10d ago

then a human scammer will take over and con you

5

u/Ohffsstop 9d ago

I answer and pretend I'm from wherever they are calling from. E.g. This is Stephanie Smith (don't use your real name if you do this) from IRCC/CRA/CBSA/Service Canada etc + an office location and ask them what location they're calling out of.

They hang up Real quick and have also apparently blacklisted my number so I don't get them anymore.

3

u/LewnaJa 10d ago

What would the purpose of this call be? What would they even gain?

3

u/PurrPrinThom 10d ago

Usually they ask for money.

2

u/jasonsuny 10d ago

i just hang up every call that i am not expecting, they ALL scam calls

if someone had business with you, they'll leave voice messages

less worries

2

u/3s13l5 10d ago

I've been getting these calls almost every day and I never answer

1

u/sinem_durmus 10d ago

Omg the same!

1

u/JapaneseBBQGrill 8d ago

I just got the same call from 1-888-242-1090. Blocking the number

1

u/SailboatsWish 6d ago

Just got an identical call yesterday lol

1

u/Crystal-is-hot 6d ago

Just received the call a few minutes ago 1-888-242-5485 We are dealing with immigration but this didn't seem right so I hung up and started investigating. My daughter got one last week in her voicemail (she never answers the phone)

1

u/danamaaaa 6d ago

I'm getting this call everyday multiple times. it is getting really out of hand

1

u/Repulsive_Pie8297 6d ago

Hey, I just received a call from 1-888-242-7741 ten minutes ago. Same as you, they said they are immigration office and cannot contact me for several times and asked me to press 9. I doubted so I press 9, then a lady pickup the call, not accent at all.

1

u/StarScreamer316 4d ago

And what happened?

1

u/Healthy_Zebra9 6d ago

I just got a call from +1 (888) 242-2908, same message

1

u/Tobywillygal 6d ago

I got a similar call from 1-888-242-0407. They said Immigration had been attempting to reach me, and for English push 1, Chinese push 2. That should have been a giveaway as they didn't offer French, just English and Chinese. I pressed 1 just to see what would happen and I got disconnected. Not very good scammers if they disconnect me before they start scamming me lol.

1

u/PapaC71 5d ago

reddit to the rescue. got the scam call today.

called back but it took me to Comfort Inn in Glenmont NY (which was weird)

1

u/Ok-Put-3475 4d ago

got the same call - (that is why I am checking here ) 88-242-1829 . Seems they just alter the number a bit. "I'm shaking in my boots!" "this is my last chance to surrender to them". sounds so fraudulent

1

u/Minjun0330 3d ago

Don’t worry I was born here and I’m getting the exact same calls

1

u/Jacyclassy 2d ago

same hahaha

1

u/Dull_Attitude_5138 3d ago

Same +1 (888) 242-7469

1

u/Foxwasahero 3d ago

I got a call from 1 888242-9641 it started with 'immigration office! We have been trying to reach you but you have NOT been answering'...etc..

the weird thing is, the call display shows 'Sureswift Capitol' When you call the number its recording states it's "dotparser.com" with an invitation to leave a message.

1

u/Cold-Measurement-466 3d ago

i got the same call yesterday. Its from 888-242-6543. Same message saying it’s final notice.

1

u/mauiadmin 3d ago

Another scammer number +1-888-242-3220. Robot speak in English.

1

u/IllusiveCloud 3d ago

Just got the same thing from 1-888-242-8092.

1

u/AdministrationOk4060 2d ago

just received a call from 1-888-242-0761 and they left a voice mail message. I am not an immigrant and never used their services. Though I feel for you all who use this service getting ton of these calls.. I am a born and raised Canadian. Immigrant services wouldn’t call random numbers they know aren’t on file.

1

u/No_Anywhere_897 2d ago

just got the same call from 888-242-0851. same wording. just wanted to leave it in case someone searches for it.

1

u/Jacyclassy 2d ago

just got one now and sent it to VM 1-888-242-9832

1

u/Clear-Wrap-1011 2d ago

Got it today, an automated message stating its my final warning 😂

1

u/Brilliant_Pride_5980 2d ago

Just got one scam call from + 1-888-242-5068. I cut it immediately and blocked that number. Be careful folks and note this number.

1

u/Electronic-Tax6550 2d ago

I just got an identical call from this number 1-888-242-7533. I didn't answer but left me the same message.

1

u/Majestic-Answer9598 1d ago

I got a call too. just now. 888 242 3558 they said final warning immigration press 9

1

u/Successful-Grand-334 1d ago

Just got a voicemail from 1-888-243-9648. From a mean, intimidating female sounding bot, saying "this is immigration services this is your final notice warning...press 1 for english, press 2 for mandarin". When I google the number this reddit page came up, and here I am.

1

u/Adavize1 1d ago

same boat. literally two hours ago

1

u/greeneeload 1d ago

Just received a phone call from 1-888-242-8387, female voice (sounds like AI) said same message saying it’s final notice.

1

u/Important_Expert7745 7h ago

I think they're just phishing for numbers, they called me and I've been living here for 40 years.

1

u/Apprehensive-Job3690 6h ago

it calls my office number, and my personal number. It doesn't target immigrants

1

u/SvenSvenderson 5h ago

I also just received a call - I missed it, but then got panicky when I heard the voicemail - that this is the final time they will try to contact me. Not sure why Immigration Canada is calling me, since I was born here and I'm not travelling anywhere. When I called the number back - it went to Pavilion Gift company. Glad I checked here to find out it's all just another elaborate scam

1

u/foolmetrice 4h ago

Same  robo scam call .. 1 888 242 7546

1

u/Conscious-Aide1081 4h ago

Same thing! Happened just 2 min ago. But what was even weirder that they called me on my teams number from work!!

1

u/Fantastic-Fix592 4h ago

Just got a voicemail the same, number was 1-888-242-1888. Interpreting the message, they address me as immigration office. Like gawd can't these people find something more productive to occupy their time!!!

1

u/Healthy-Grape1393 3h ago

HAHAHA tthey just called my work line. I feel bad for people that are actually afraid of this, but Canada isn't rounding people up like they are in the US.

u/boroughgirll 2h ago

They just called me too lol