We have recently become aware of a spike in fake communications that pretend to be made with approval or consent from the British Council or British Council officials. We would like to warn our customers so that they can take steps to protect themselves from scammers. Scams may take a myriad of forms, in addition to those described below. Scam e-mails often seek to obtain personal information that is later used to commit fraud or theft.

How to protect yourself

  • Only trust our verified social media account: British Council Iraq on Facebook.
  • Ensure you are browsing the secure British Council Iraq website.
  • Do not trust anyone who tells you they can get you a higher score; they are most likely trying to defraud or scam you.
  • Anyone promising shorter results timelines than the British Council is a fraudster or a scammer.
  • The British Council will never contact you to request your personal information. We will also never send you an e-mail or call you claiming we’ve lost your information.
  • If you are concerned about the legitimacy of a communication (call, e-mail or SMS) you have received from the British Council, contact us directly on +964(0)7901911971 or via WhatsApp (messages only) on +964 782 789 2641.
  • There are individuals who use the British Council name in e-mails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job-seekers. These scams can be called placement fees or immigration processing fees. The British Council will not charge candidates an up-front fee of any kind. Visit our careers page to learn more about career opportunities at the British Council.
  • The Citizens Advice Bureau provides clear, practical and free advice on many issues, including guidelines on identifying scam e-mails.

Report fraud

If you feel you have been the victim of a fraud, or suspect fraudulent activity carried out in the name of the British Council, please report it with details to: IELTS.Security@britishcouncil.org

Disclaimer: The British Council is not liable for any sort of loss or damage that occurs as a result of fraudulent schemes.

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