The immigration process can be stressful, lengthy, and confusing. As a result, some opportunistic criminals attempt immigration scams to take advantage of honest people like you. Here are some of our tips for avoiding these scams and protecting yourself and your family.
Notary or Notario Scams
In some other countries, a notario público, or notary public, is somebody who has been through training and has legal power. However, that is not the case in the United States. In the US, a notary public is someone who has gone through training to professionally witness individuals who need to sign official documents, like a lease or job contract. They are not qualified to offer legal advice. If you are going to a notary public who tries to have you sign blank immigration forms or who charges you for legal help, you are falling for one of the most common immigration scams.
Fake Immigration Websites
One of the most common immigration scams on the internet is phony immigration websites. These websites look like they’re the real thing, but they are run by criminals who are looking to steal your information, sell you fake products, or do other types of harm. Never click on unfamiliar links. When you’re on an immigration website, check to ensure that the URL ends in “.gov” instead of “.com” or another extension. Additionally, USCIS forms are free, and you should never be charged to download them.
Diversity Lottery Immigration Scams
The Diversity Visa Immigrant Program is officially organized by the US Department of State, but some immigration scams attempt to collect payment and information for entry. The real visa lottery is totally free to enter at https://dvprogram.state.gov/, and it happens once a year. You never need to pay to enter. You will never be able to pay extra or buy an extra entry for the program.
Know the Red Flags
Immigration scams prey upon people wanting to do the right thing and an unfamiliarity with the system. Some of the red flags that you should look for include:
- Asking for personal information or payment on a phone call or through email
- Asking you to sign blank forms or blank pieces of paper
- Charging fees for services that you don’t fully understand
- Applications or documents that are sent from unofficial websites or email addresses
- Phone calls from people who are pretending to be government officials
Additionally, if anything sounds illogical or like it might be too good to be true—there’s a good chance that it is too good to be true.
Protect Yourself with The Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence
If you or a loved one is uncertain how to proceed when you are looking for immigration law assistance, choose an experienced firm like the Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence to give you the help you need. Please give us a call at 443.352.3201. Skype and telephone consultation are both available to clients.