Fake Work Permit Scams via Phone Calls
How phone-based fraudsters impersonate government immigration authorities to demand fees for fake work permits, visa extensions, or expedited processing that do not exist.
Part of: Fake Work Permit Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
Work permit scams delivered by phone are among the most psychologically pressurising forms of immigration fraud. The caller presents themselves as a government official — from an immigration authority, labour department, or consulate — and informs the target that their work permit, visa, or employment authorisation requires urgent action. The authority and urgency of an apparent official call prevents many victims from questioning the request.
The phone channel creates real-time pressure that email cannot replicate: the victim is placed on the spot, often confused, and prompted to make an immediate payment decision. Calls may be spoofed to appear as if they originate from a real government agency number.
Immigrants with precarious status, those awaiting renewals, or those who have recently received legitimate correspondence about their documents are most vulnerable because the call appears to align with circumstances they know to be real.
How this scam works on phone calls
A phone call arrives, sometimes displaying a spoofed government agency number, from a caller claiming to be an official from USCIS, a border agency, or a labour department. The caller informs the target that their work permit contains an error, has expired, or requires immediate payment to process an extension or prevent cancellation.
Payment is demanded immediately, or within a very short window, via wire transfer, gift cards, or a cryptocurrency payment terminal at a retail location. The caller may stay on the line to guide the victim through the payment process and prevent them from seeking advice from others.
Following payment, the caller may provide a fake confirmation number and may call again with further demands, knowing the victim has already paid once.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call from an apparent government immigration authority demanding immediate payment
- Caller number appears to match a real government agency but demands phone payment, which government agencies do not do
- Urgency: pay immediately or face arrest, deportation, or permit cancellation
- Payment requested via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — government agencies do not accept these
- Caller instructs you not to hang up and not to tell anyone about the call
- Caller offers to resolve the issue faster if a larger fee is paid
How to protect yourself
- Hang up immediately if a caller demands immediate payment to preserve immigration status
- Government agencies send official notices by postal mail, not urgent payment demands by phone
- Call the agency directly using a number from their official website to verify any claimed status issue
- Never pay immigration fees via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency to anyone
- Do not allow a caller to keep you on the phone while making a payment
How to report it
- Report to USCIS at uscis.gov/report-immigration-scam
- File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, selecting 'Impersonation > Government impersonation'
- Report spoofed calls to the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
Frequently asked questions
Does USCIS or any immigration authority call to demand immediate payment?
No. Immigration authorities communicate through official postal mail and do not demand immediate payment over the phone. Any call demanding immediate payment to protect your immigration status is fraudulent.