For Job Seekers: Signs of Fraudulent Postings
Wage Red Flags
- Entry-level positions offering $35-45/hour with no experience required
- Wages significantly above market rate for the role and region
- Vague wage ranges ($30-50/hr) suggesting the posting isn\'t real
Company Red Flags
- No website, or a website with stock photos and placeholder text
- Company address is a residential building, mailbox service, or shared office
- No online presence, reviews, or business history
- Company name doesn\'t match the registered business name
- Multiple "companies" at the same address
Posting Red Flags
- Job requirements that seem designed to exclude Canadians
- Extremely long postings with unusual or impossible requirements
- Postings that stay up for months with no apparent hiring
- Contact information leads to immigration consultants, not HR departments
For Foreign Workers: Signs of LMIA Scams
You Are Being Scammed If:
- Anyone asks you to pay for an LMIA – This is illegal. Employers cannot charge workers for LMIA fees.
- You\'re asked to pay $30,000-$100,000+ for a "job offer"
- Payment is requested through wire transfer or cryptocurrency
- The "employer" won\'t speak with you directly
- You\'re communicating only through recruiters or consultants
Legitimate vs. Fraudulent Offers
| Legitimate | Fraudulent |
|---|---|
| Employer contacts you directly | Only deal with third-party recruiters |
| No fees charged to worker | Large upfront payments required |
| Clear job description and contract | Vague promises, changing terms |
| Verifiable company with history | Shell company, no real operations |
| Direct employment relationship | Multiple middlemen involved |
How to Verify a Company
- Check corporate registries: Search provincial business registries for company registration
- Use lmiamap.org: See which companies have received LMIAs and how many
- Google the address: Is it a real business location or a mailbox service?
- Reverse image search: Are the team photos stock images?
- Check for patterns: Same address as immigration consultants? Same website template as other companies?
If You Suspect Fraud
Report to:
- ESDC Fraud Tip Line: 1-866-602-9448
- Service Canada: Report online through the confidential tip form
- CBSA: For immigration-related fraud
- Share here: Document your findings to warn others