The New York Department of State is warning residents about a growing number of scams targeting immigrants, urging people to be cautious of fraudulent schemes designed to steal money and personal information.
State officials say scammers often exploit the complexity of the immigration system and frequently target individuals with limited English proficiency. The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection and the Office for New Americans have released guidance to help immigrants recognize and avoid common scams.
“These scammers are not only taking advantage of vulnerable communities but they also undermine the trust in the very systems meant to support them,” Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said in a statement. He encouraged residents to seek information from trusted sources and report suspicious activity.
Among the most common scams identified by the state are individuals posing as federal immigration officials, fake law firms advertising services on social media, phishing schemes seeking personal information, and fraudulent immigration service providers offering unauthorized legal advice. Officials also warned about notary public fraud and scams involving the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
The state emphasized that legitimate federal agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and immigration courts generally communicate through official government channels and do not request payments through apps such as Zelle, Venmo, Apple Pay, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Officials also reminded residents that only licensed attorneys and Department of Justice-accredited representatives are authorized to provide legal advice on immigration matters. Businesses offering translation or document preparation services may assist with paperwork but cannot provide legal guidance.
The Department of State is also cautioning job seekers about fake employment offers and warning prospective students to verify that career training programs are properly licensed before enrolling.
New Yorkers who need assistance or wish to report suspected immigration fraud can contact the Office for New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636. The hotline is available to all immigrants regardless of immigration status and can connect callers with trusted resources and legal assistance.
