Human Services & Office of the Attorney General Help Immigrant Communities Recognize and Avoid Immigration Scams
October 21, 2026
(TRENTON) – The Department of Human Services and the Office of the Attorney General are partnering to raise awareness of scams targeting immigrant communities and help individuals seeking immigration services identify reliable, legitimate legal services providers.
The Department’s Office of New Americans and the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs have made guidance available online that explains how individuals can find safe legal assistance, recognize potential immigration scams, and file a complaint if they have been victimized. The guidance provides practical information to help individuals protect themselves and their immigration cases from fraud and exploitation. Read the guidance here.
“Having access to accurate and reliable information is essential to empowering immigrant communities to understand their rights, make informed choices, and advocate for themselves and their families. By knowing what to look for, recognizing red flags, and seeking services from qualified and authorized providers, individuals can better protect themselves from fraud and exploitation,” said Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha.
"At a time when immigrant families are facing tremendous uncertainty, access to trustworthy information and qualified legal assistance is more important than ever,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “No one should be allowed to exploit that uncertainty for financial gain. We want to help equip New Jersey’s immigrant communities to avoid fraud and turn to us if they believe they have been victimized.”
The State is reminding residents seeking immigration services to be aware that only attorneys and accredited representatives authorized by U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services are allowed to prepare legal documents such as immigration forms, give advice on legal matters, or represent clients in a legal proceeding. An accredited representative must have training and authorization from the U.S. government to help people with immigration cases. Individuals can verify an individual or organization’s accreditation through the federal government’s listing of accredited representatives.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, a Notario Público is a trained and licensed legal professional. In the United States, however, a “notario” is generally a public notary and is not the same as a lawyer or an authorized immigration representative. Most people in the U.S. who advertise “notario services” are not licensed attorneys and may not be authorized to provide legal advice and/or immigration services. Unscrupulous individuals may pose as “immigration consultants,” “notarios,” or even attorneys, falsely claiming they can provide immigration assistance, often targeting immigrants with limited English proficiency or those who are particularly vulnerable.
“There is nothing more reprehensible than taking advantage of people who are in dire need of help. Scammers prey on people’s desperation and exploit their vulnerability, and the results can be devastating. This information can help individuals recognize potential scams and proceed with caution when seeking legal services for these often complex and sensitive matters,” said Deputy Commissioner for Social Services Michael J. Wilson.
“Immigration fraud can have devastating consequences, and no one should be afraid to come forward when they believe they’ve been deceived or exploited,” said Christopher Peterson, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Our doors are open to every New Jersey consumer, and we will take all allegations of fraud seriously.”
Fraudsters may exploit people’s need for help, charging excessive fees, providing incorrect or fraudulent legal advice, or mishandling personal information. The consequences to their misled clients can be severe, including identity theft, financial fraud, immigration detention, or even deportation.
Individuals should be cautious when seeking immigration assistance, particularly when communicating through emails or unfamiliar websites. They should also remember that official U.S. government websites end in .gov; USCIS immigration forms are always free; and government agencies will never demand payment by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, text message, or social media. Individuals should be wary of anyone demanding payment for legal services through these methods, as this may be a sign of fraud.
“It is all too common to hear stories of people who have lost money or put their immigration status at risk because they placed their trust in people who had no intention of helping them. This resource can help protect people who are already in a vulnerable position from putting their cases, and their livelihoods in this country, in the hands of the wrong people,” said Office of New Americans Executive Director Johanna Calle.
Individuals can protect themselves by:
· getting a referral from someone they trust for a provider with a proven track record of being trustworthy and effective;
· asking for a written agreement explaining services and fees;
· getting receipts for all payments and copies of everything they sign;
· never signing forms they do not understand or blank forms; and
· keeping their original documents and only providing copies.
To report immigration scams, please contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) by visiting https://njconsumeraffairs.nj.gov/file-a-complaint/. The Division intakes reports from all people regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, and Division employees do not ask about citizenship or immigration status.
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