# Immigration fraud warning checklist

Answer five questions about the person offering you immigration help. The result says whether the offer shows warning signs of immigration fraud.

Use the tool on the [web page](https://immigrationhelp.fyi/tools/spot-immigration-fraud). It works without JavaScript.

## How to use it

1. Enter i confirmed this exact person is a licensed lawyer or a doj-accredited representative.
2. Enter the person promises or guarantees a visa or case win.
3. Enter the person asks for cash only, or gives no receipt.
4. Enter the person asks you to sign a blank or unreadable form.
5. Enter the person claims a secret government connection.
6. Read the result.

## How it works

The checklist asks one authorization question about the specific person and four warning-sign questions drawn from US government fraud guidance (USCIS Avoid Scams and FTC reporting pages).

A single warning sign, or a helper you cannot confirm is authorized, gives the warning result. Fraud operators often look professional, so an unchecked box is treated as not confirmed.

No checklist result proves a person is honest. It only screens for the most common signs.

> This checklist is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It cannot verify whether a specific person is authorized; check the DOJ registers named above.

## Questions

### What is a notario?

In Latin America a notario publico is a legal professional, but in the United States a notary public is only a witness. Fraud operators use the title 'notario' to look like lawyers. A US notario or immigration consultant cannot represent you or give legal advice.

### Where do I report immigration fraud?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, to your state attorney general, and to USCIS through its fraud-reporting page. If a case was filed in your name, tell the immigration court too.

### Who can legally give me immigration advice?

A lawyer licensed in a US state, or a DOJ-accredited representative working for a DOJ-recognized organization. Both appear on public registers you can check for free.

> **Not legal advice.** ImmigrationHelp is a directory, not a law firm. Nothing on this site is legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. A listing is not a recommendation. Every provider listed is authorized by the US Department of Justice as shown in the source named on each listing; confirm details with the provider before you share information or pay. Beware of immigration fraud: a 'notario' or immigration consultant is not a lawyer and cannot represent you. To report a mistake, write to hello@immigrationhelp.fyi.