Immigration scams — notarios, fake calls and who can actually help

Immigration fraud is a serious threat to people settling in the United States. Scammers exploit the language and legal confusion that immigrants often face, especially around notarios, fake government calls, and phony immigration services. Understanding who can legally help you with immigration matters—and who cannot—is essential to protecting your status, your money, and your family.

The Notarios Trap: A Translation That Costs Dearly

In many Latin American countries, the term notario publico (or notario) means a licensed legal professional who can give legal advice, draft documents, and represent people. In the United States, the word translates to notary public, but the roles are completely different. This translation gap is deliberately exploited by scammers who use the word notario to make people think they are hiring a lawyer.

A notary public in the US is authorized to do only three basic things: witness the signing of documents, confirm the validity of signatures, and administer oaths. That is all. Notaries receive minimal training—sometimes just a few hours—and are not required to have any legal education. They are prohibited from giving immigration advice or providing any form of legal representation. If a notary gives immigration guidance or files forms on your behalf, they are breaking the law and practicing without a license.

You may see storefronts in immigrant neighborhoods advertising notario, notario publico, asesor de inmigración (immigration advisor), or consultor de inmigración (immigration consultant). These titles are deliberately chosen to mislead. Calling yourself something different does not give you the legal authority to provide immigration services. Many immigrants have paid notarios high fees, only to discover months or years later that their forms were filled out incorrectly, their applications were denied, or their cases were mishandled beyond repair. In some cases, errors made by notarios have led to deportation or the loss of legal status.

Who Can Legally Help You: Lawyers and DOJ-Accredited Representatives

Only two types of professionals are legally permitted to provide immigration advice and represent you in immigration proceedings: licensed immigration attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives.

Licensed Immigration Attorneys

A licensed immigration attorney is a lawyer who has passed a state bar exam and is authorized to practice law. Immigration attorneys can advise you on your options, prepare and file applications and petitions, respond to USCIS requests for evidence, and represent you in immigration court if needed. When you hire an attorney, they enter their appearance on your case, meaning USCIS and the courts know that a licensed professional is handling your matter.

If you need to find a qualified attorney, verify their status through your state bar association website. You can search by name to confirm they are licensed and in good standing. Some attorneys are certified by immigration law specialty boards, which shows additional expertise.

DOJ-Accredited Representatives

DOJ-accredited representatives are non-attorneys who have undergone rigorous training and passed vetting by the U.S. Department of Justice. They work exclusively for recognized non-profit organizations that specialize in immigration legal services for low-income individuals. Accredited representatives can advise you on immigration law, prepare and file applications, and represent you before USCIS and, in some cases, before immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

While accredited representatives are not lawyers, they are held to strict professional standards and are accountable to the Department of Justice. If you cannot afford a private attorney, looking for a DOJ-accredited representative through a recognized non-profit organization is a legitimate and often free or low-cost option. You can find these organizations through your local immigration legal services provider or community legal aid office.

Phone Scams: USCIS and the IRS Will Never Call Demanding Payment

One of the most widespread scams targeting immigrants is the imposter phone call. Scammers call claiming to be from USCIS, the IRS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or other government agencies. They use caller ID spoofing to make it appear as though they are calling from an official government number. The call typically contains threats: you have a visa violation, unpaid taxes, an immigration violation, or you owe fines. They demand immediate payment and threaten arrest or deportation if you do not comply.

This is always a scam. Neither USCIS nor the IRS will ever call you demanding immediate payment. This is a fundamental rule of both agencies. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. Do not provide any personal information, do not stay on the line, and do not follow their instructions.

What USCIS Will Never Do

• Call you demanding payment by phone or email
• Ask you to pay via wire transfer, Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or prepaid debit cards
• Ask you to transfer money to an individual person
• Contact you through your personal social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram)
• Ask for your Alien Registration Number, Social Security Number, or bank details over the phone
• Threaten deportation or arrest without first sending you official written notice

USCIS will only contact you through official mail sent to your address, or through your attorney of record if you have one. If USCIS needs payment, they will send you a notice explaining the fee and the proper way to pay. USCIS accepts payments through its official website or by mailing a check or money order to the address listed in the official notice.

What the IRS Will Never Do

• Call you demanding immediate payment using a gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or prepaid debit card
• Ask for personal details like your Social Security Number or bank information over the phone
• Threaten you with immediate arrest, deportation, or loss of your business license
• Demand payment before you have had a chance to question or appeal the amount owed
• Contact you before first mailing you an official bill

If the IRS believes you owe taxes, your first notice will arrive in the mail from the IRS, not a phone call. The IRS will not initiate contact by phone, email, or text without your permission. Scammers claiming to be from the IRS often use intimidating language and scare tactics, including threats of arrest or deportation. These threats are a clear sign of a scam.

Never Sign Blank Forms—You Are Responsible for What You File

A critical principle in immigration law is that you are responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of every document you file with USCIS, the IRS, or any government agency. Even if someone else fills out the form or signs it on your behalf, you are legally responsible for its contents. This is why you must never sign blank forms, and you must never let anyone file papers you have not read and understood.

Scammers and unqualified notarios sometimes ask immigrants to sign blank forms or forms they have not read. The notario promises to fill them in later, claiming it will speed up the process or simplify things. This is extremely dangerous. Once you sign a blank form or a form with false information, USCIS has your signature on an official document. If the form is then filed with false information, you could face denial of your application, fines, criminal fraud charges, or deportation.

1. Always read every form before you sign it
2. Make sure all information is accurate and truthful
3. Ask for explanations of every question if you do not understand
4. Keep copies of all forms and documents you file
5. Never sign a blank form under any circumstances
6. Never let anyone file forms on your behalf without your knowledge and review
7. Request a receipt for any payment made to an attorney or representative

Before you file any immigration form, verify the filing fee on the official USCIS website. The fees are public and do not change without notice. If someone charges you significantly more than USCIS lists, that is a red flag. Also, USCIS and other government agencies accept only specific payment methods. If someone tells you that you must pay a fee via gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash in person, they are a scammer.

Red Flags That Signal a Scam or Fraud

• Someone guarantees a specific outcome (visa, green card, asylum approval) for a fee
• You are asked to sign blank forms or forms you have not read
• You are told to keep the arrangement secret or not to tell USCIS about it
• Someone demands payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash sent in person
• A phone call from a government agency threatens arrest or deportation and demands immediate payment
• You are asked for personal information (SSN, bank details, passwords) over the phone
• Someone advertises as a notario, asesor, or consultor de inmigración but claims to provide legal advice
• The cost is significantly higher than what USCIS lists on its official website
• You are pressured to act quickly or told not to ask questions

What to Do If You Are Targeted by a Scam

If you receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from USCIS, the IRS, or another government agency, hang up immediately. Do not provide any information, and do not stay on the line. You can then verify the call by contacting the agency directly using the official phone number on its website or official documents.

If you have already shared personal information or sent money, act quickly. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately to report fraud and try to stop the payment. Then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. You can also report immigration scams directly to USCIS or to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration if you believe you were the target of an IRS scam.

If a notario or unlicensed consultant has already filed forms for you and you are worried about the accuracy or legality of what was filed, contact a licensed immigration attorney as soon as possible. In some cases, errors can be corrected through amendment requests or appeals, but waiting makes this harder. A lawyer can review what was filed and advise you on next steps.