SCAMWatch reports the ACCC and the Department of Immigration and
Border Protection (DIBP) have been getting reports of scammers claiming to be
government officials. The scammers call migrants and temporary visa holders and
threaten them with deportation supposedly because of problems with their
immigration paperwork or visa status.
Scammers are demanding up-front fees of around $1,000 to resubmit
forms. These scam phone calls appear to be targeting people from India and
Pakistan. The ACCC has received 150 reports of this scam since February with
more than $35,000 reported lost.
Scammers may try to pressure you by calling repeatedly and
harassing you, even threatening to send the police to your house – but if you
give your money to a scammer you will never see it again. The DIBP has confirmed
that it does not ask for any payment of fines or penalties by telephone.
If you receive a telephone call from someone threatening
you with deportation and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond.
If in doubt, do not use any contact details provided by the caller - look up the
government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and
phone or email them.
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