Scams take advantage of urgency and uncertainty. These warning signs help you recognise situations that need extra checking.
No one should present a residence permit, nationality decision, appointment, approval or acceleration of a public procedure as guaranteed.
The public portal and tools are free. Guia Migrante PT does not charge to secure AIMA slots, accelerate procedures, obtain nationality or guarantee approval.
Verify the official channel. Do not pay solely because someone claims privileged access.
Passwords, PINs and SMS/authentication codes should not be handed to unknown or unverified people.
Artificial urgency and threats are common fraud techniques. Verify the fee, public body and payment reference.
Logos and colours can be copied. Read the complete website address and confirm the domain.
Do not send passports, residence cards or banking data to profiles, numbers or e-mails you have not verified.
A legitimate private professional may provide a service, but should not convert a future public decision into a guarantee.
Open the public body's website from a known source rather than trusting only a link received in a message.
A private provider may charge professional fees, but those must be distinguished from an official public fee.
Keep passwords, SMS codes, PINs and Digital Mobile Key authentication private.
Save receipts, e-mails, payment references and important communications.
If someone charges you, understand what service they are providing and who is responsible for it.
You do not need to memorise every scam. You need to recognise warning signs that mean: stop and verify.
Open the official website yourself. Do not enter through a link received in a message if you cannot verify the domain and service.
Be cautious with “guaranteed appointments”, “guaranteed approval”, contracts sold to obtain a visa, or payments to speed up a decision that belongs to a public authority.
Share only what is necessary through the appropriate official channel. Never give passwords, authentication codes or account access to someone who promises to handle the process for you.
Artificial urgency is a warning sign. Stop, verify the information on gov.pt, AIMA or the relevant authority, and keep the message, number, IBAN and payment records if you suspect fraud.
