Sep142021

Extra Resources

 

• What is a scam in the United States?

• • • A scam is an attempt to trick someone into giving someone something, typically money, with nothing in return. It is a fraudulent business or a dishonest con to take product or money from an unsuspecting person
      • A few examples of scams
        • Promising nonexistent money in return for services or money
        • Buying or selling fake products or goods
        • Attempts to gain personal information to steal identities

• Common Scams

• • • TPS Re-registration
      • TPS is a Temporary Protected Status that is granted by the Department of Homeland Security.
        • Do not pay for or submit any form unless through USCIS for your official information
    • Immigration Scam located in India
      • The people behind this will send you an email claiming to be the U.S government looking for payment from applicants. It will be sent by the USCIS New Delhi Field Office or the Department of State in India. They may contain attachments claiming you have been approved for a visa or will request money for the visa processing
        • Emails from the U.S government always end with the domain “.gov”
        • You will not be asked by the USCIS to transfer money to an individual
        • You will not receive a notification letter or email, and you can only check your status online through the DV Entrant Status Check
          • https://dvprogram.state.gov
    • Form I-9 Scams
      • Scam emails can be sent requesting Form I-9 information that looks like official USCIS emails. You (as an employer) are not required to submit I-9 to USIS
    • Email Scams
      • Scam emails can be sent posing as USCIS and can guarantee you no wait time or a faster visa. USIS has no exceptions to the normal processing time
        • These emails come from a fake email address that is
          • news@uscis.gov
          • Can contain USCIS information but has a fake download button to a fake website
            • Uscis-online.org
              • Do not respond to these emails or click any links
                • Report to
                  • Federal Trade Commission
                • If you are unsure on the legitimacy
                  • Forward email to uscis.webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov
    • “Notarios Publicos”
      • A notario publico is a notary public who is an individual appointed by state governments to witness administer oaths and the signing of important documents
        • It is not a powerful attorney with legal credentials
        • They are not authorized to provide any legal services related to immigration
      • Only an accredited representative or attorney for the Department of Justice (DOJ) from a recognized organization can give legal advice
    • Payments by phone or email
      • A representative posing to be USCIS will ask you to transfer money to an individual
        • You will not be asked to pay fees to someone on the phone or by email
          • To pay fees online you can only go to your USCIS online account
    • Winning the Visa Lottery
      • You will not be contacted by USCIS for the DV program (Diversity Immigrant)
      • It is managed by the Department of State and you will receive a notification of selection through the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV)
        • https://dvprogram.state.gov
    • Scam Websites
      • A website can claim to be affiliated with USCIS and offer guidance with applications or forms
        • You will not be asked to pay to download forms
          • Forms are free on the website and at local USCIS offices, as well as by mail
          • Make sure this information is coming through uscis.gov or affiliated
    • Job Offers
      • You can come across job offers that are not real
        • Check the legitimacy of the company that has reached out to you
        • Do not accept offers that require you to pay money
        • Be hesitant of jobs that offer large sums of money to you or do not review your credentials or hold interviews

• How to Avoid Scams

• • If someone contacts you first, be hesitant about who they say they are. Caller ID information and email addresses can be faked
  • If money is offered, especially large sums, walk away. Money is not typically used to be given out by real companies
  • If they request personal information such as a social security number or bank information that is not on tax forms you receive when you are hired, be alert
  • If you have to pay them first in an upfront fee be wary
  • If you are asked to wire money or send gift cards to receive something or pay off a debt collector, you are most likely being scammed
  • Do not answer unknown calls if you do not know why they are calling
  • Be careful who you give your email to and what you sign up for on websites, forms, and promotions