Scams + Fraud Awareness — Protecting Hispanic Immigrants
Most common scams targeting Hispanic immigrants. Notario fraud, IRS/USCIS impersonation, DV Lottery scams, marriage fraud, predatory lending. How to spot, report, recover.
Scams + Fraud Awareness
Hispanic immigrants are disproportionately targeted by scammers. This cluster covers the most common scams and how to protect yourself.
Critical scams covered
- ⚠️ Notario Fraud — most damaging scam targeting Hispanic immigrants
- IRS Impersonation Scams — DO NOT pay over phone or with gift cards
- USCIS Impersonation Scams — Fake immigration officers
- DV Lottery (Visa Lottery) Scams — Application is FREE
- Predatory Loan / ITIN Lender Scams
- Marriage Fraud / Sham Marriage — 5-year prison, deportation
Last verified: 2026-05-25.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
- ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
- USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
The rules change. Hear about it first.
Monthly digest of USCIS, IRS, and consulate fee, form, and deadline changes — no spam.
⚠️ Notario Fraud — most damaging scam targeting Hispanic immigrants
In US, 'notary public' is NOT a lawyer. Latin American 'notarios' are licensed attorneys with special powers. Predators exploit this confusion. How to spot, report, and recover from notario fraud.
DV Lottery (Visa Lottery) Scams — Application is FREE
DV Lottery entry is COMPLETELY FREE. Scammers charge $100-$1000 to file 'on your behalf'. State Dept never emails winners. How to spot and avoid.
IRS Impersonation Scams — DO NOT pay over phone or with gift cards
Common IRS scam: caller claims to be IRS, threatens arrest/deportation, demands immediate payment in gift cards or bitcoin. IRS NEVER does this. Always verify at irs.gov.
Marriage Fraud / Sham Marriage — 5-year prison, deportation
Sham marriage for immigration = federal crime. Up to 5 years prison + $250K fine for both parties. Plus permanent immigration ban. How USCIS detects, what to avoid.
Predatory Loan / ITIN Lender Scams
Predatory lenders target ITIN holders with sky-high interest rates (30-40%+ APR), hidden fees, balloon payments. Legitimate ITIN lenders exist — how to spot bad ones.
USCIS Impersonation Scams — Fake immigration officers
Scammers pose as USCIS to threaten deportation, demand payment, or steal personal info. USCIS never calls first or demands payment by phone. How to verify, report.
General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.