SCAM AWARENESSImmigration impersonation
Immigration impersonation scams target immigrants and their families. A scammer pretends to be from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or another agency and claims there is a problem with your visa, green card, or citizenship case. Others pose as helpers who promise faster results. Both use fear and confusion to take your money or personal information.
How this scam works
The caller may say there is an error in your paperwork, that your status will be cancelled, or that you will be deported unless you pay a fine right away. Caller ID may show a government name. They may know your name, country of birth, or case details, and they often speak your native language to build trust.
They demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or payment app and tell you not to talk to anyone. In another version, a so-called "notario" or consultant promises special access, guaranteed approval, or a shortcut, then charges large fees, files wrong forms, or disappears with your documents. Either way, your case can be harmed and your money lost.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGE"This is an immigration officer. We found errors in your green card file. You must pay a $1,200 penalty today or an officer will come to detain you. Do not hang up and do not tell anyone. Pay with gift cards and read me the numbers."
Warning signs
- The caller threatens deportation, arrest, or loss of status unless you pay now.
- They ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer, crypto, or payment app.
- They tell you to keep the call secret from family or a lawyer.
- Someone promises guaranteed approval or a special shortcut for a fee.
- A "notario" or consultant who is not a lawyer offers legal advice.
- Messages come from personal social media or non-.gov email addresses.
How to protect yourself
- Know that USCIS does not accept gift cards, wire transfers to individuals, or payment apps for immigration fees.
- Check your case status yourself through your official USCIS online account.
- Get legal help only from a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative at a recognized organization.
- Keep copies of all forms and never let anyone keep your original documents.
- Do not sign blank forms or forms with false information.
- Hang up on threatening callers and look up official contact details yourself.
If you already responded
- Stop all contact and do not send more money, even if they threaten you.
- If you paid with a gift card, call the card company right away and keep the receipt.
- If you paid by bank, wire, or payment app, contact your bank or the service immediately.
- Check your real case status through your official USCIS account to confirm nothing changed.
- If a consultant filed forms for you, speak with a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative.
- Report the scam to the FTC and through the USCIS scams page.
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Where to report it
Common questions
Does USCIS call people and ask for payment over the phone?
USCIS says it will never ask you to pay fees to a person by phone or email, or to transfer money to an individual. It does not accept gift cards, money transfer services, or payment apps for immigration fees. Any caller demanding payment this way to avoid deportation is a scammer.
Can a notario help with my immigration case?
In the United States, a notary public is not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice on immigration matters. Only licensed attorneys and representatives accredited by the Department of Justice and working for recognized organizations can do that. Using an unqualified helper can delay or harm your case.
How can I safely check my immigration case?
Use your official USCIS online account or the case status tool on the USCIS website, which ends in .gov. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a link in a message. Real government emails come from .gov addresses, and USCIS will not contact you through personal social media accounts.