Fraudsters are using the Citizen number to try to extort money.
The Ottawa Citizen has learned that fraudsters are using our phone number, 613-829-9100, to contact people claiming to be from Citizenship and Immigration Canada and aggressively demanding money or personal information.
These calls using our number are targeting people in the Toronto area.
C.I.C. warned the public last year of a cross-Canada telephone scam, where callers insist a fine be paid immediately, or personal information for “Bill C-54” be filled out to avoid deportation.
“C.I.C. does not contact clients over the telephone for the purpose of collecting fines to avoid deportation, and C.I.C. never asks for payments to be made by purchasing prepaid credit cards or through a private money transfer service provider,” the agency says on its website.
These callers often sound very official, even providing identification numbers and having “superiors” call back to confirm the calls are genuine.
If you receive any of these calls, immediately hang up and contact your local police station: In Ottawa the number is 613-236-1222 ext. 5433. In Toronto contact 416-808-2222 and indicate you have been the victim of a telephone scam.
You should also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, particularly if you have provided money to the callers.
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