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Immigration Scams to Watch Out For
Contributor: Van T. Doan
It is a sad fact that dishonest people are everywhere, and they tend to prey on the people who are most vulnerable. That often includes immigrants, who in many ways make ideal targets for scammers. Many immigrants are desperate, and desperation makes people take unwise risks, falling for promises that are too good to be true. Immigrants who have fled danger in their home countries, or who are desperate to reunite with loved ones or provide their family a better life, are often easy prey.
In addition to their emotional state, immigrants may feel isolated due to a language barrier and may be fearful of authorities, especially if they are undocumented. Lacking access to legitimate information, they may rely on networks of family, friends, and other immigrants for guidance. Scammers know this, and may involve themselves in these networks to gain access to desperate people seeking help.
Common Immigration Scams
The best way to avoid immigration scams is to know what they are. Here are some of the most common immigration scams we are warning our clients about in 2024.
Deceptive Advertising (Notarios)
In Latin America, a “notario” or “notario público” is usually a highly-educated person who has the equivalent of a U.S. law license. Understandably, Spanish-speaking immigrants in the United States might consider seeking immigration help from someone holding themselves out as a notario.
But in this country, these terms simply refer to a notary public—someone with government authority to witness signatures on documents. A notary public in the U.S. does not have to have any legal training or immigration experience at all. Dishonest people take advantage of immigrants’ natural confusion over the meaning of “notario,” “notario público,” and “notary public.”
Do not give money to a notario for immigration help. Instead, work with a licensed immigration attorney, or an accredited representative recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Phone Scams
“Spoofing” involves someone deliberately disguising the information that goes to Caller ID in order to make it appear that they are someone else. In this immigration phone scam, callers make it appear that their call is coming from a USCIS office or the hotline for the Department of Homeland Security. When the target answers, the caller claims to be from “U.S. Immigration” or a government office or agency. The caller asks the target to provide personal information or some form of payment to avoid negative action.
It can be frightening to get one of these calls, but stop before providing any personal or payment information. DHS does not use its hotline for outgoing calls, and USCIS does not ask for personal information over the phone.
Fake Websites
Some scammers set up websites that have domain names (addresses) similar to those of an official U.S. website, and feature seals and logos that suggest they are government sites. Immigrants are led to believe they are using an official site, and provide information and “filing fees” that, in reality, go directly to the scammers.
Another danger of these sites is that an immigrant may believe that the forms they have “submitted” on the site are being processed by the government. That mistaken belief may cause them to miss actual deadlines.
Diversity Visa Scams
Many people hope to become lawful permanent residents through the Diversity Visa program, or “green card lottery.” This program gives people from countries with low immigration rates access to immigrant visas. Over 11 million people apply annually, but only about 55,000 visas are granted, so getting a visa through this program is a big deal.
Scammers know that “winning” the green card lottery is a dream come true for many immigrants. They send an email telling the target of their good fortune and instructing them to send money for “visa processing” through Western Union. The scammer may create a sense of urgency by suggesting the target will lose their chance if they delay.
In reality, the U.S. State Department will never tell an immigrant to send an application or processing fee through Western Union.
These are only a few of the many immigration scams going around. You can read of more common immigration scams on the USCIS website.
How to Avoid Immigration Scams
Even the most careful and intelligent people can fall victim to scams, especially when they are under pressure. Here are some tips for avoiding immigration scams:
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If someone is telling you they can achieve a result that others have said is not possible, beware.
- Pay attention to where the communication comes from. For instance, official U.S. government websites and emails will always end in “.gov.”
- The form of communication matters, too. Most government agencies like USCIS will not call you on the phone to request personal information or information about your case.
- Don’t count on your caller ID to tell you who is calling. Spammers can “spoof” official numbers.
- Beware of odd payment method requests. The government will never tell you to pay a fee through Western Union or gift cards, and in fact will never call you to request payment. Most payments to the U.S. government are made by check or money order made out to the government agency.
- A guarantee of a specific result is a big red flag. Even immigration attorneys with years of experience in similar cases cannot promise a specific outcome.
To learn more about how to avoid immigration scams, or to get help if you think you have been the victim of a scam, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Categories: Immigration Law
