Want to know how you can avoid being scammed when searching for immigration help? This is a huge step for many immigrants and the last thing you want in your way is a scammer looking to take your money and do nothing in return for you. There are many ways someone could run into an immigration scammer. Immigration is not the cheapest process and oftentimes, prospective immigrants will look for their cheapest route. This means hiring a cheap immigration lawyer and a lot of times, these are the scammers. Below we will share some tips to avoiding US immigration fraud along with spotting and reporting them to the USCIS!
Tips to Avoid Immigration Fraud in the US
- Check your immigration lawyers credentials always. You can ask for a copy to check their license and ask for references. On your own time, check out online reviews to ensure a good reputation.
- Meet with your immigration lawyer in person (if possible) to to be sure they are in fact who they say they are. If you are overseas, try meeting visa videochat (Zoom, Google Meets, Skype, etc.)
- If you decide to hire a representative, make sure they sign an agreement outlining the services they have agreed to provide you. You want to always have a copy of any signed agreements with your representative.
- Don’t pay for immigration forms. The USCIS provides all forms online for free, so no one should be charging you for immigration forms unless they are scamming you.
Spotting an Immigration Fraud
In most cases, it is not difficult to spot scammers online and there are a number of things you can look for to determine if you are dealing with fraud. A few red flags are:
Extensive Promises
Oftentimes when scammers get ahold of vulnerable immigrants looking to come to the United States, they will promise you too-good-to-be-true results. Some will even mention that an applicant may be unqualified for an immigration status but they can “pull some strings for them.” This is a red flag for immigration fraud as eligibility requirements are strict and immigration lawyers don’t usually have that power to persuade the USCIS for positive results.
“Guaranteed” Results
All experienced and qualified immigration professionals know that each case is unique and you can never guarantee positive results. Not only would this slowly ruin an immigration professional’s reputation, but you should also know that no one can guarantee you an immigration status until you receive a visa approval. It is up to that immigration professional to explain the possibility and determine if it is the best route for you.
No Explanations
Most scammers taking part in US immigration fraud usually don’t know much about immigration so if they aren’t sharing knowledge about the visa process or application, that is a red flag! Most immigration professionals will be very transparent about everything that is happening with your case. If your “immigration lawyer” is guaranteeing positive results with no explanations, you are most likely a victim of a scam.
Sketchy Payment System
The easiest way to spot a scam is the way they ask for payment. If you are working with a credible immigration professional, you should never feel weird about the way you are paying. Some scammers have asked for fees in strange ways such as Western Union, Paypal, or gift cards. In fact, the USCIS has clear fee instructions for paying by a check or money order made out to the “US Department of Homeland Security.” If you failed to pay a required government fee with your application, USCIS will return your application to you to be refiled, but will never call or email requesting payment. There are some specific circumstances where you can use a credit card to pay USCIS fees, but you should never be asked to do so over the phone or in an email.
Reporting US Immigration Fraud
If you or someone you know believes they’ve become a victim of US immigration fraud, it should be reported immediately to your state authorities and Federal Trade Commission. If you receive a suspicious email, don’t respond to it and forward it to the USCIS Webmaster (uscis.webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov) so that they can investigate. This report can be done anonymously and will not affect your active application. The US government asks that if you run into an immigration fraud to please take this opportunity to report to avoid more victims.
Do You Ned Reliable US Immigration Help?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Sierra
Hi there! I am one of VisaPlace's immigration content writers. If you have any questions regarding this article, please comment below!
