Learn about Immigration and citizenship representatives:

• explain and give advice on your immigration or citizenship options
• help you choose the best immigration program for you
• fill out and submit your immigration or citizenship application
• communicate with the Government of Canada on your behalf
• represent you in an immigration or citizenship application or hearing
• advertise that they can give immigration or citizenship advice

Choose an immigration or citizenship representative

• Ask people you trust to recommend someone. Get advice from several people before you choose.
• Ask questions. Be careful of someone who will not answer your questions.

If you’re hiring a paid representative:

• Find out if they are authorized. This means they have a license to practice and give advice.
  • If you choose a paid representative who is not authorized, we may return your application or refuse it.
  • If you give a representative money or compensate them in any other way in exchange for their services, they’re considered paid and must be authorized.
• Ask about the representative’s training and experience. For instance:
  • ask for references and
  • find out how long they have been in business.
• Discuss the services they’ll provide and the fee.
• Make sure to get a written contract and read it carefully before you sign it.
  • Make sure the contract lists all the services the representative will give you and clearly states the fee you discussed.

Choose your representative carefully

If you’re using a representative who works in Canada, you can also contact the Better Business Bureau. It can tell you if it has received complaints about a citizenship or immigration consultant, lawyer or another representative.

Tips to protect yourself from fraud

• Be careful of anything that sounds too good to be true.
  • Using a representative will not draw special attention to your application or guarantee that we will approve it.
• Beware of representatives who encourage you to give false information in your application. It is against the law. You could be denied entry into Canada or deported after you arrive.
• Don’t leave original documents or photos with your representative.
• Don’t sign blank application forms.
• Don’t sign forms or documents unless you can read them.
  • If you don’t understand them, ask someone to translate.
• Make sure to get copies of any documents that your representative makes for you.
• Any time you pay your representative, get a signed receipt.
• Make sure your representative updates you on your application often.
• Protect your money and remember that:
  • We’ll never call you and ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account.
  • We’ll never ask you to transfer money through a private money transfer company.
  • Our processing fees are in Canadian dollars and they’re the same around the world.

{Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigration-citizenship-representative/choose.html?utm_source=Social%20Media&utm_campaign=Fraud_choose_rep}