Attorney General Keith Ellison shares alert on immigration scams

By KAALTV
Credit: Pexels/MGN

(ABC 6 News) — On Monday, Attorney General Keith Ellison shared information on how to avoid common immigration-related scams.

The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper series, which is aimed at helping protect Minnesota consumers from common scams.

“One unfortunate thing I’ve learned in fighting scammers is that they often target people in need or in search of assistance,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison via a press release. “Right now, con artists posing as immigration attorneys are lying to, cheating, and stealing money from people who came to Minnesota to build a better life for themselves and contribute to our state. Please be on the lookout for these scams, spread the word about them, and if you uncover one, report it to the authorities.”

Ellison warned that the scammers have pretended to be immigration attorneys to lie and steal from immigration communities in Minnesota. The scammers have frequently reached out directly to people they target to offer immigration-related legal services. Ellison said they make big promises, ask for large upfront payments, and then take the money the receive and disappear.

“These scammers not only run away with someone’s money, but the scammer can also harm their chances of immigrating by not filling out the right forms, failing to tell them about court dates, making them miss important deadlines, or giving them the wrong legal advice,” the press release read.

Here are some tips to guard against these scams:

  • Never pay for immigration forms. You can get forms free at uscis.gov/forms, by calling 1-800-870-3676, or at your local USCIS office.  
  • Never sign a blank form. Make sure all forms are complete before you sign them.  
  • Never sign any forms that have false information.  
  • Never send original documents as evidence to support your application unless USCIS asks for the original. 
  • Always get immigration information from the U.S. government, starting with uscis.gov or state.gov.  
  • Always check that the person who helps you is an attorney or accredited representative.  
  • Always get a receipt if you pay someone to help you.  
  • Always get copies of forms prepared for you.  
  • Always keep all letters and notices from USCIS in a safe place.  
  • Always manage your case with self-help tools at uscis.gov/tools.