Warning of immigration scam

Authorities are warning migrants to be wary of scam phone calls pretending to be from the immigration department.

The ATO has issued a warning about scammers using clever tactics (AAP) Source: Press Association

Scammers impersonating the immigration department have cheated migrants out of $150,000.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has received 300 reports about the scam since March and warned people to hang up on the phone calls.

"The scammers target migrants and temporary visa holders, claiming there are problems with their immigration paperwork or visa status and they need to pay a fee to correct the problem and avoid deportation," commission deputy chair Delia Rickard said.