Using Agents, Scams, E-mails and Fraud

[RickyR]

Using agents, scams and fraud

You may decide to submit your application using an independent travel agent, immigration agent or consultant. These agents will charge for their services.

You should be careful when dealing with agents who make unrealistic claims. Agents cannot guarantee that they will be able to obtain a work or study visa for you. They cannot guarantee that your application will be resolved without an interview. They cannot guarantee the outcome of your visa application. They may be cheating you if they make these claims.

Many agents charge exorbitant fees for their services - often many times the actual cost of the visa. If an agent charges you anything more than a small and reasonable service charge, they may be overcharging you or they may be supplying you with false documents and statements. Visa officers will detect false documents and statements, and your visa application will be refused. If you provide false information, documents or passports in support of your visa application, you will be refused a visa and all future applications could be refused for up to 10 years. You may also be prosecuted and could face a fine or even go to prison.

Remember is your visa application. You are the owner of the information and any supporting documentation. A genuine agent will only be able to help you to complete the form and advise you what supporting documents you need to include. If you are suspicious, take advice from VFS. If you consider that you have been misled or cheated by an agent, then you should report the matter to the police.


Email and website visa scams
The UK Border Agency advises customers that various email and website visa scams are in progress. Scam emails are being sent to customers posing as representatives from the UK Border Agency at the British Embassy in Manila. These emails are fraudulent and falsely claim that a customer's UK visa has been approved and that the customer must send money in order to get it. Scam websites are also falsely posing as official British Embassy and the UK Visa Services websites and providing incorrect information to applicants in order to obtain money.

The UK Border Agency urges all applicants to only use this website and the official UK Border Agency visas website

[sars_notd_virus]

This is very true,..thats why we do not recommend using Agents for visa applications even the VFS dont recommend agents http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/applying.aspx because everything is covered in the VFS website the forms to use,the fees,the guidelines and checklist of documents and there will be no hassle at all..

two more important reminders:

(1) make sure the applicant check , read and understand all the sponsors documents before submitting to vfs why? u'll never know if the ECO calls for an interview at least the applicant is prepared to answer whats inside the documents he/she submitted.

(2) check for updates in vfs website and fil uk forum why? because the applicant will get more tips and advice for a successful favorable outcome on his/her visa applications.