Scam alert
A Notario Who Isn't a Lawyer Offers Immigration Help for a Fee
Posted
New Jersey · njoag.gov · Arrives by an office visit or a website
The short answer
Someone who is not an attorney or an accredited representative offering to fill out your immigration forms or give legal advice for a fee is the sign to stop. On October 21, 2026, New Jersey's attorney general and Department of Human Services warned that most people in the U.S. who advertise "notario services" are not licensed attorneys. USCIS immigration forms are always free. Check the person's accreditation on the federal list, and get a written agreement before you pay.
What is happening
On October 21, 2026, New Jersey's Department of Human Services and Office of the Attorney General warned that people posing as "immigration consultants," "notarios" or even attorneys may charge excessive fees, give incorrect legal advice or mishandle personal information, and that the results can include identity theft, financial fraud, immigration detention or deportation. In many Spanish-speaking countries a Notario Público is a trained and licensed legal professional, but in the United States a "notario" is generally a public notary, not a lawyer or an authorized immigration representative. News 12 reported the warning the same day.
How to recognize it
- The person is not an attorney or an accredited representative but offers to prepare immigration forms, give legal advice, or represent you.
- They advertise "notario services" or call themselves an "immigration consultant."
- They charge for USCIS immigration forms. Those forms are always free.
- They ask you to sign blank forms, or forms you do not understand.
- They want payment by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, text message or social media.
What to do instead
- Check the person or organization on the federal government's list of accredited representatives before you hire them.
- Ask for a written agreement that explains the services and fees, and get a receipt for every payment.
- Keep your original documents. Give copies only, and keep a copy of everything you sign.
- Use official U.S. government websites, which end in .gov.
- If you want to tell someone, the rule is: immigration help comes from an attorney or an accredited representative, with the fees in writing.
If it already happened
Responding to one of these is common and understandable. These steps are what people usually take next.
- These offers are made to look like real legal help, so trusting one is easy to do. Getting real help now is a good step.
- In New Jersey, file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs at njconsumeraffairs.nj.gov/file-a-complaint. The Division takes reports from everyone and its staff do not ask about citizenship or immigration status.
- If you shared personal details, start a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
- Who is allowed to help with immigration forms?
- New Jersey says only attorneys and accredited representatives authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may 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.
- Will reporting this affect my immigration case?
- New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs says it takes reports from all people regardless of citizenship or immigration status, and its employees do not ask about either.
- Where do I find someone I can trust?
- New Jersey suggests getting a referral from someone you trust for a provider with a proven track record, then checking the provider's accreditation on the federal list before you pay.
Practice this safely
Practice asking for someone's credentials and a written fee agreement before you hand over money or documents.
Every story is fictional. There is no timer, no score, and no real message, payment, or account.
Tell someone
Copy a short note you can paste into a text or email. It names the scam, the next step, and this page. Nothing is sent from this site.
A Notario Who Isn't a Lawyer Offers Immigration Help for a Fee Someone who is not an attorney or an accredited representative offering to fill out your immigration forms or give legal advice for a fee is the sign to stop. On October 21, 2026, New Jersey's attorney general and Department of Human Services warned that most people in the U.S. who advertise "notario services" are not licensed attorneys. USCIS immigration forms are always free. Check the person's accreditation on the federal list, and get a written agreement before you pay. Read the full alert: https://endscamsproject.com/latest-scams/notario-immigration-services-scam
Where this comes from
These links open the published sources in a new tab. The destination is shown before you open it.
- New Jersey Office of the Attorney General: Human Services and Office of the Attorney General help immigrant communities recognize and avoid immigration scams (October 21, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
njoag.gov
- New Jersey Department of Human Services: Joint release on immigration scams (October 21, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
nj.gov
- News 12: New Jersey warns immigrants about legal scams (October 21, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
news12.com
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (opens in a new tab)
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
The full guide on this
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This alert provides general educational information drawn from the sources above. It cannot determine whether a specific message you received is genuine, investigate an incident, or promise recovery or reimbursement.