How to report fraud or abuse
How do I report immigration fraud?
Call the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Border Watch Toll-Free Line at 1-888-502-9060 to report:
- suspicious activity at the border
- a marriage of convenience
- a person who has given false information on any immigration application or
- a person wanted on an immigration warrant
What you tell the tip line is private. Your identity stays protected.
How do I report citizenship fraud?
You may report a person who:
- pretended to live in Canada to become a citizen or
- hid information about their case
In Canada
- Call the Client Support Centre and choose the citizenship fraud tip option in our automated telephone system, or
- Send an email to IRCC.CitizenshipFraudTips-Fraudedecitoyennete.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.
Outside Canada
- Contact your nearest Canadian visa office, or
- Send an email to IRCC.CitizenshipFraudTips-Fraudedecitoyennete.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.
How do I report Internet, email or telephone scams and fraud?
If you or someone you know has been the target of a telephone, Internet, email or other type of scam and gave personal or financial information by mistake, you should:
In Canada
Contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Toll-free: 1-888-495-8501
We are aware of a recent ongoing telephone scam – archived. If you get a suspicious call, hang up right away and contact your local police. You should also report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Outside Canada
Report the scam to your local police.
How do I report abuse?
Any behaviour that scares, threatens, controls or isolates you could be abuse. Abuse can be physical, sexual, financial or mental.
You don’t have to stay in an abusive relationship or workplace to keep your status in Canada.
The person who’s abusing you might tell you that you’ll be deported or lose your children if you leave. Whether you’re a permanent resident, or you have temporary status in Canada, you have options. You can escape violence, harassment or other abuse.
Get help if someone is abusing you
- Call 9-1-1 or your local police in an emergency.
- Call 1-888-242-2100 to contact our Client Support Centre for information on your citizenship or immigration status.
Find out more about help for victims of abuse or neglect
Know your rights, identify abuse, neglect and forced marriage, and get help if you are being abused.
Find out more about help for foreign workers who are victims of abuse
Know your rights, identify abuse, and learn about the open work permit for vulnerable workers.
How do I report a possible victim of human trafficking?
If you or someone you know is a victim, contact:
- the human trafficking hotline at 1-833-900-1010,
- your local police or
- dial 911
Do not take the law into your own hands or take part in any illegal activity.
Find out more information about protection and assistance for victims of human trafficking.
Top questions about fraud and scams
- What happens if I owe IRCC money? Will you call to ask for unpaid fees?
- Will you ask me for personal information over the phone?
- Do you accept prepaid credit cards, Western Union, or Money Gram to pay my fees?
- If I have not paid fees, will you have me arrested or deported?
- I received threats from someone who says they are from the immigration department. Is it a scam?
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