Those days are gone when fraud and scams were only seen in movies and TV serials. Nowadays, frauds are increasing at such a rate that it has become an arduous task to find a trustworthy company or person. Do you know the sector with a huge amount of fraudulent cases? Yes, it is the immigration sector. Not only do these fraudulent immigration consultants ask for a huge amount of money, but they also claim to provide services from an ICCRC agent. Never trust these agents because once you deposit money into their account, they will disappear, and you will be the one to suffer. So, how to beware of such fraudsters? Read this article attentively, as we are going to discuss some tips to identify fraudulent immigration consultants. 

People deposit all of their savings from their entire lives, and in some cases even sell their homes, in order to move to the country of their dreams. They must employ the services of a knowledgeable immigration consultant in order to complete the immigration procedure; yet, locating the appropriate immigration consultant is not a simple task. Would you like to see a brighter future by moving to a different country? However, are you hesitant to move on with the visa application process?  

If this is the case, you may get in touch with the best immigration consultants who have a long history of success and a tremendous amount of respect in the industry.  

Tips to defend yourself from fraudulent immigration consultants 

Read the following pointers to learn some tips to defend yourself from a fraudulent immigration consultant:

Check out the credentials of diploma holders

A person holding a basic diploma, such as one qualified from an immigration practitioner program, is not acceptable to provide immigration advice. Therefore, a consultant must register with ICCRC to do the job. Therefore, ensure that the consultant’s name and identification number are ‘Active’ on ICCRC’s official website and have a license. This indicates that they can guide you properly throughout the process. However, if the status is ‘Revoked’ or ‘Suspended’, they are not authorized to provide any advice regarding the visa process. 

Strange email address

Note that a reputable immigration agency will never use an unusual email address. So make sure to check the email address before opening any vulnerable link, as it could put your personal and private information at risk. If you receive a legitimate email, only then move ahead to the next step. Otherwise, you may fall into the trap. To invest your valuable time and money in safe hands, you can associate with a trustworthy study visa consultant. 

WhatsApp payment request

A trustworthy immigration company will never ask to process your visa application through a chat app. Chat apps like WhatsApp are only used to communicate with clients living far away. However, any other information regarding your visa application will be provided by email or by telephone. If any visa consultant sends you a payment link via whatsapp make sure to avoid them. A reputable immigration consultant will ask you to proceed with your payment via a secure payment mode. Therefore, ensure to make payment safely to avoid trouble later. 

Avoid signing blank immigration application forms

Make sure to review all the information carefully in the application form before signing. Once your agent files it, there is no going back. However, it is also important not to put your signature on the blank forms or the form which don’t have proper details and information. Moreover, if the information is correct and you agree with it, remember to take a copy of the form that is filed in your name and keep it safe. For more information and proper guidance related to your visa process, you can contact the well-known immigration consultants in Jalandhar. 

Never make cash payments

A fraudulent immigration consultant will ask you to make a cash payment. The reason behind this is that cash payment is non-trackable, and you may not find any proof when needed. Therefore, avoid making cash payments. However, also in the case of trustworthy companies, always make payment by online payment mode, through cheque, or debit card.  

Avoid ‘free immigration’ services

In many cases, some fraudsters offer free immigration services and will ask for a fee for job offers, settlement services, and a lot more. ‘Free services’ is just a title to trap people, and some innocent people fall into such traps. Therefore, you need to beware of such consultants who claim these fake services, as they can dupe you out of money by offering fake job offers. You should invest your efforts in a reputed US study visa consultants with a successful record and goodwill in the market. 

Ensure the agent is familiar with new rules and regulations

Before hiring an immigration consultant, make sure that your agent is familiar with the latest immigration procedures and laws. In most of the cases, the unlicensed consultants are the ones who don’t know about the latest norms of the visa application. They don’t have sufficient knowledge of immigration law, and a code of conduct does not bind them.

Conclusion

Make sure to find a representative who is legitimate to help you in your visa process and to avoid any losses. These are some tips that you should keep in mind while hiring an agent to defend yourself from fraudsters.