Crisis Guide
Fake Certificate of Sponsorship — Scam Indicators and Reporting
Genuine CoS are issued through the employer’s SMS account and have a unique reference number you can verify on gov.uk; agents charging upfront fees for "guaranteed CoS" are operating an illegal scheme.
Key fact
Genuine CoS reference numbers verifiable on gov.uk before paying any fee
Step-by-step
- 1Never pay an agent upfront for a CoS — the employer issues it, never an agent.
- 2Verify the CoS number on gov.uk’s "check my Certificate of Sponsorship" service.
- 3Confirm the named employer is on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors and is currently A-rated.
- 4Check the salary on the CoS matches what you’ve been promised verbally.
- 5If the CoS issuance is conditioned on paying the agent more money, walk away.
Common pitfalls
- !Pay-for-CoS scams disproportionately target Filipino, Nigerian, Indian, Bangladeshi care workers.
- !Report suspected scams to UK Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).