I paid an immigration consultant or notario who turned out to be a scammer — what do I do?
Report to your state attorney general and immigration authorities. If money was paid by card, dispute the charge. You may also need to take corrective legal action on any bad paperwork filed.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Immigration fraud is a particularly harmful category because victims can suffer not only financial loss but also damage to their legal status, missed deadlines, incorrectly filed applications, or even inadvertent perjury through forms they did not understand. 'Notarios,' unauthorized immigration consultants, and fake attorneys target immigrant communities with promises of cheap, fast visa or green card processing.
In many U.S. states, only licensed attorneys and accredited representatives may charge for immigration legal advice. If you paid a non-attorney for legal services, the business may have violated state law. Report to your state attorney general's consumer protection division and specify 'unauthorized practice of law' or 'immigration services fraud.'
Also report to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Immigration Litigation at justice.gov and USCIS at uscis.gov/report-immigration-scam. USCIS maintains a list of authorized representatives and actively investigates fraud. The DOJ accredits organizations that can provide low-cost legitimate immigration help.
If fraudulent forms were filed with USCIS, you may need to file corrective submissions, responses, or motions to reopen cases. Consult a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative as soon as possible. The Bar Association in your state can provide referrals. Legal aid organizations often provide free immigration legal services for low-income individuals.
Common red flags
- Person claims to be a 'notary' or 'notario' who can file immigration forms — this is not authorized
- Guarantees of visa approval or green card in an unusually short time
- Significantly lower fees than licensed attorneys (may indicate unauthorized practice)
- Asks you to sign blank forms to fill in later
- Does not provide copies of applications filed on your behalf
- Cannot provide their bar association number or accreditation details when asked
What to do now
- Collect all documents, receipts, and copies of any forms that were filed
- Report to your state attorney general for unauthorized practice of law
- Report to USCIS at uscis.gov/report-immigration-scam
- Consult a licensed immigration attorney to assess any damage to your case
- Dispute any card charges through your card issuer
- Contact a free legal aid organization or DOJ-accredited representative if cost is a barrier
Frequently asked questions
What is an 'accredited representative' for immigration purposes?
DOJ-accredited representatives are non-attorneys who have been approved to represent people in immigration proceedings before USCIS, immigration courts, and the BIA. They work for recognized non-profit organizations. They are different from notarios or general immigration consultants who are not authorized to give legal advice.
If I was defrauded, will it affect my immigration application?
Possibly — if incorrect information was submitted, it could harm your case. A licensed attorney can help you understand your situation and file corrections. Proactively disclosing and correcting errors is generally viewed more favorably than having them discovered later.