P.E.I. RCMP warn of scam callers claiming to be immigration officials

RCMP on P.E.I. are warning residents of a telephone scam from callers claiming to be from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, after receiving a complaint Tuesday from a newcomer to Canada living in Morell.

• RCMP warn of phone scam targeting and threatening immigrants

• Fraudsters pose as immigration officials in phone scam, police warn

The woman said she received a call from a male who identified himself as being with Citizenship and Immigration Canada who told her he had her immigration file open on his desk.

"When the male began to ask her for detailed personal information, she challenged him, and he hung up," said Kings District commander Staff Sgt. Kevin Baillie in a written release Tuesday.  

The call originated from the 905 area code in Ontario, Baillie added. 

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has sent out several notices about the ongoing scam, in which targets are asked for personal information including social insurance numbers, credit card information, bank accounts and eventually payment to avoid being deported or have other sanctions imposed.

"The department advises that they never contact clients by phone to collect fines to avoid deportation and never request payment by pre-paid credit cards or through a private money transfer," Baille said.

If clients have concerns about the legitimacy of a call, Citizen and Immigration Canada recommends they ask for the name of the agent calling, then confirm if the call was genuine by calling the Citizen and Immigration Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100.

Police advise anyone receiving a fraudulent call to hang up and contact their local police department.

People can also report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 or through their website.