Who: The FTC collects reports of immigration and notario fraud.
When to use: Use when you paid for immigration services that were fake or deceptive.
What to prepare:
- Name of person or business
- Amount paid
- What was promised
FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Emerging & other
Bogus immigration lawyer or notario scam
How it often plays out
Someone offers to "fix" immigration papers or get a work permit for a large fee. They are not a licensed attorney or accredited representative—they may be a "notario" (notary) who has no legal authority to give immigration advice. Victims pay thousands and get nothing or invalid filings that hurt their case. Only licensed attorneys or BIA-accredited representatives can give immigration legal advice. A "notario" in many countries is a lawyer, but in the U.S. a notary is not a lawyer—and cannot legally advise you on immigration. Always verify the person with your state bar or the BIA before paying.
How to spot it
Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Verify the person is a licensed attorney (state bar) or BIA-accredited representative.
- Report to your state bar if someone pretended to be a lawyer, and to the FTC for consumer fraud.
- Report notario fraud to your state AG and the FTC.
Don't
- Pay large upfront fees for "guaranteed" immigration results.
- Assume a "notario" can give legal advice; in the U.S. a notary is not a lawyer.
- Use someone who is not verified with the state bar or BIA.
Summary & what to do
Fake immigration "consultants" or notarios charge for services they cannot legally provide. Only licensed attorneys or accredited representatives can give immigration legal advice. Report fraud to the FTC and state bar.
What to do right now
- Verify the person is a licensed attorney (state bar) or a BIA-accredited representative. Do not pay large upfront fees for "guaranteed" results.
- Report to your state bar if someone pretended to be a lawyer, and to the FTC for consumer fraud.
- Report notario fraud to your state AG and the FTC.
Where to report
Who: Your state bar association can confirm if someone is a licensed attorney and take complaints.
When to use: Use if someone claimed to be a lawyer.
What to prepare:
- Name
- What they did
Who: Your state Attorney General often handles notario and consumer fraud.
When to use: Use to report in your state.
What to prepare:
- What happened
Build your knowledge: Recommended reading — books & free websites on financial literacy and fraud awareness