UK Immigration Barristers – ‘Beware of bogus third party Immigration services’

Oct. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- If you're looking to utilise the services of a UK-based Immigration firm, it's vital that you do your research in order to avoid becoming the victim of an Immigration scam or Immigration fraud. As the number of Immigration companies continues to grow, some of them have turned out to be bogus and are often set up to swindle vulnerable victims out of their cash.

As a result, there has been a rise in the number of complaints about bogus organisations, with many people reporting their cases to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) demanding that 'companies' who misrepresent themselves or who are clearly operating an Immigration scam, be dealt with accordingly.

How do I know which companies are bogus and which are not?

The most important factor in determining if a company is genuine is to find out about their credentials. Firstly, although not a necessity, most Immigration companies will ideally be registered with a recognised regulatory body. Those companies that are not registered with a regulatory body often ‘outsource’ the work they take on.

In cases whereby work is ‘outsourced’, legitimate businesses will always differentiate between the role that they perform (as the third party agent) and the role played by those that the work is outsourced to. A clear brief of what you can expect as a customer will always be supplied by those organisations operating within regulatory boundaries.      

Secondly, carry out your own independent research. Contact people who have used the services of an Immigration firm that you're interested in using and read reviews and make your own mind up. This is a sure-fire way to enhance your chances of avoiding a potential scam and being ‘ripped off’.

Finally, use your own discretion, if something sounds too good to be true it usually is. Most genuine Immigration companies are completely transparent in how they operate. For instance, most services will be upfront about fees and the likely outcome of your case before you commit to anything.

Should you have a complaint about services received from an immigration firm, genuine companies will be open to dealing with complaints just as they are in taking credit for a job well done! They will recognise that in order to improve relationship with their clients it is important that they have a dedicated customer service team in place to deal with any problems or complaints you may have and they will look to resolve them amicably with you.

What should I do if I believe I am the victim of Immigration Fraud or an Immigration scam?

Unfortunately for some, selecting the right UK Immigration Company has not worked out as planned and many people have been charged extortionate amounts of money for services they did not receive.

Should you feel that you have been the victim of such activity you can report your case to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) who will be able to provide assistance.