Think Immigration: Don’t Fall for It! Avoiding Immigration Scams

We see them every day. Scams target people who want to immigrate to the United States or who are already residents but want to adjust their status. Many times, AILA members are contacted by people who have already fallen for a scam.

Here are some things to watch out for, and ways to stay safe:

1. If you submit an application for any kind of visa, read carefully to find out how you will be notified if you are approved. For diversity visa lottery winners, you will not receive an email or letter. Instead, you are directed to check your application’s status on the official website. Be extra vigilant as we’ve seen more reports of these scams recently. If you get an email, even if it looks official with the name of a government agency on it, it is a scam. Do not click on any links or submit any information.
2. If someone tells you they are an immigration attorney, and shows you identification that looks legitimate, you should still confirm with the state bar association website that they are licensed to practice law, this is the best way to verify. Ask them what state they are licensed in, get their name, and check. This website has a comprehensive list of state bar websites. If they are not a licensed attorney, do not give them any personal information. You can find qualified immigration lawyers through AILA’s referral directory at www.ailalawyer.org. If you are working with a non-profit legal service provider, see the accredited providers on the DOJ website.
3. If you get a phone call from someone claiming they are with a government agency and asking for money over the phone, this is most likely not legitimate. Get as much information as you can, without providing your personal information to the caller then look up the agency and call their official number. Scammers even take the names of real employees off the government websites, so do not trust that you are speaking to the real “John Smith” if they call you.

USCIS has a webpage with information about common scams.

The Federal Trade Commission also has a webpage on avoiding scams.

If you are experiencing an issue with an immigration consultant or notario publico (not recognized in the United States), you can also visit Stopnotariofraud.org.

It is unfortunate that people are trying to exploit those in vulnerable and uncertain circumstances. Scams are becoming more elaborate and increasingly convincing. Please, read and review information very carefully so you can stay safe and protect yourself.

Written by AILA’s Reid Trautz and Camille Rybacki Koch.

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