People seeking help with their immigration status deserve honest advice, trustworthy information and a fair chance to understand their options. Unfortunately, scammers see that need as an opportunity to steal money, personal information and peace of mind from people who may already be facing difficult circumstances.
Our office recently learned of a troubling website scam in which a local attorney discovered that her photograph was being used on a fraudulent immigration website. The site advertised immigration services using pictures of real attorneys, but the names, bar numbers and other information were false.
This is a reminder that a professional-looking website is not proof that a person or business is legitimate. Scammers can steal photographs, invent credentials and create convincing websites to make their operations appear trustworthy. They may also use fear, urgency or promises of special treatment to pressure people into paying before they have time to verify the facts.
Immigration matters can have serious consequences, so it is important to take time to confirm that anyone offering legal assistance is qualified and legitimate.
Here are some red flags to watch for:
• Pressure to act immediately. Someone insists you must pay right away or risk losing an immigration opportunity or facing serious consequences.
• Guaranteed results. A person promises approval, a visa, a green card or another immigration benefit, regardless of your circumstances.
• Suspicious credentials. A website lists an attorney’s name, photograph or bar number, but the information does not match official records.
• Requests for unusual payments. Someone demands cash, gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, especially without providing a clear contract or receipt.
• Unsolicited contact. Someone contacts you unexpectedly, claims to have special access to immigration officials or offers an opportunity that seems too good to be true.
• Requests for sensitive information. Someone asks for personal documents, identification numbers, passwords or financial information before you have verified who they are.
• Avoid people who call themselves “notarios,” “paralegals,” or former immigration agents. None of these titles gives a person the authority or ability to handle immigration matters for other people.
Before hiring someone, independently verify their identity and credentials. If a person claims to be an attorney in California, you can check their license through the State Bar of California at www.calbar.ca.gov.
If you suspect you have been scammed:
• Stop communicating with the suspected scammer and do not send additional money.
• Save copies of websites, messages, emails, contracts, receipts and payment records.
• Contact your bank or payment provider promptly to ask whether the transaction can be stopped or reversed.
• If you shared sensitive information, take steps to protect your accounts and identity.
You can report suspected fraud to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit at www.sdcda.org, and report suspected attorney misconduct or unauthorized practice of law to the State Bar of California or to the State Bar Unauthorized Practice of Law at https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/complaint/Upl/Index. Finally, you may also report immigration services fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Scammers depend on fear, confusion and urgency to keep people from asking questions. You have the right to take your time, verify credentials and seek a second opinion before paying for help. When something does not feel right, pause and check before you act. A few minutes of verification could save you money, protect your personal information and prevent further harm.