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.
USCIS Impersonation Scams — Fake immigration officers
USCIS NEVER:
- Calls you first to demand action
- Asks for payment by phone, gift card, wire transfer
- Threatens deportation over phone
- Sends generic threatening texts/emails
- Uses urgency to bypass verification
USCIS communicates by MAIL first. Verify case status at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus.
Reporting:
- USCIS Scams
- FTC reportfraud.ftc.gov
- ICE Tip Line for human trafficking related scams: 1-866-347-2423
General consumer protection resources
- FTC Consumer Complaint: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): consumerfinance.gov/complaint
- State Attorney General (varies by state)
- Better Business Bureau: bbb.org
Related information
Last verified: 2026-05-25.
General prevention information — not legal advice. If victimized, consult attorney for options.
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
Frequently asked questions
If I was victimized, can I recover the money?
How can I verify an attorney/consultant is legitimate?
I'm reporting — will I get deported?
How much does talking to a real immigration attorney cost?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
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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.