Common Immigration Scams
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
Each year, thousands of people fall victim to one or more immigration scams. These scams not only falsely promise that you will be able to immigrate to the U.S. or become a citizen, but they obtain your sensitive financial or personal information. If you are in the U.S. as an immigrant or hope to come here, be on the lookout for these scams.
Emails About the Visa Lottery
According to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) office, this is a popular scam. Victims receive an email informing them that they have won the Visa Lottery. As a result, they often ask that you send payment online.
However, the State Department does not use email to tell people they have been selected by the lottery, so these emails are fraudulent. Instead, the purpose of this scam is to get your personal and financial information.
Telephone Scams
Some fraudsters might call you up and claim to be from USCIS. The purpose of the call is to obtain information from you, such as your financial information or Social Security Number. The scammer on the other end might also ask you to make a payment while on the phone, something USCIS will never ask you to do. If someone calls you up asking for personal information or money, simply say, “No thank you” and hang up.
Notarios Publicos
In certain Latin American countries, a notario publico is a powerful attorney with elite legal credentials. In the U.S., however, a notary public is simply someone who witness documents being signed and who can administer oaths. Notary publics in the U.S. are not attorneys and cannot represent you in immigration proceedings.
Many recent immigrants, unfortunately, fall victim to this scam, wrongly believing that the notary public they are meeting with can help them. If you are looking for an attorney, ask for information about their credentials, such as which bar exam they passed and ask for proof.
Fraudulent Websites
The U.S. government maintains several websites that contain helpful information on immigration. Always look to see that the website ends with “.gov”—your sign that the website is legitimate. Scammer websites will end with “.com” or something else. These fraudulent websites also frequently sell forms to you, which you can get for free at legitimate government websites.
Report a Scam
If you or a friend has fallen victim to a scam, you should report it to the federal government. You can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-382-4357 or visiting their website. You can also report any scams to the attorney general in your state.
If you are afraid of being identified by immigration officials, you can report the scam anonymously or ask a trusted friend to report it for you. This way, you can alert authorities to the scam while protecting yourself from deportation.
Skilled Chicago Immigration Lawyers
For legitimate legal advice about any immigration issue, please contact Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Our Chicago immigration lawyers are ready to help you with whatever immigration problem you have. With decades of experience, we have handled every immigration issue imaginable and can help you get the representation you need. To schedule your consultation with one of our attorneys, please contact us today.
What Our Clients Say
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
I’m deeply grateful to God for leading us to this law firm; it is a true blessing to work with such professional and passionate individuals. Their dedication and commitment help make a difficult situation far less traumatic. In our case, we received 100% support from Attorney Andrea Ochoa and paralegal Rafael. May God bless them and allow them to continue this wonderful work. Thank you—a thousand thanks.
I give my total recommendation and trust in this great organization that has supported me and my family in very difficult times, especially the lawyer Andrea Ochoa and her paralegal Rafael who were little angels that God has sent us to be able to face all the obstacles that we have had along the way. Thank you very much with all my heart. ❤️
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
Highly recommend Jennifer Peyton in federal litigations. She’s very polite and experienced.
I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
Great service and attention. Felt safe and confident since the first meeting. Couldn't be happier with the results and services. I had the pleasure of working with attorney Andrea Ochoa and it was a great experience would absolutely reccomend her services
Our experience with the firm was extraordinary. We worked with attorney Andrea Ochoa. Since the very first meeting we met, Andrea gave us all the confidence to proceed with our case. She always answered our questions shortly and offered clear guidelines to proceed. When my son's case received a notice of intent to deny, she planned how to fight that decision effectively. We totally recommend everyone to trust their case…
I just want to say huge thank you to Mr. Kevin A. Raica. for everything he has done for me throughout my immigration case. When I first came to Kevin, he explained the SIJS process clearly and walked me through the steps. We first needed to get the guardianship court order before moving forward with the I-360, and he connected me with a trusted attorney to help with that part.…
I cannot find the words to express my gratitude to Brittni Rivera! She literally saved my family. We had been waiting seven years for what she accomplished in just three weeks. I was impressed by how accessible the office is—they always answer calls very quickly. A special thank you to paralegal Nataliia Melnyk. You are my heroes. Thank you.
Schedule A Consultation!
Libertyville
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy