USCIS / Immigration Scam

Scammers posing as immigration officials contact applicants claiming a fee must be paid immediately by phone to avoid deportation or a denied application, exploiting fear around immigration status.

A scammer posing as a USCIS official, immigration attorney, or ICE agent contacts an applicant or their family, claiming there's a problem with their immigration case — a missing fee, an error in paperwork, or an impending deportation — that can only be resolved by paying immediately over the phone. The caller exploits fear around immigration status to pressure quick, untraceable payment via gift cards or wire transfer, sometimes spoofing caller ID to show a Washington D.C. number or referencing real USCIS form numbers to sound credible.

• A demand for payment over the phone to resolve an immigration case.
• Threats of immediate deportation or denial unless you pay right away.
• Payment requested via gift cards or wire transfer.
• Caller ID spoofed to appear as a government agency.

• USCIS does not accept payment over the phone or via gift cards.
• Government agencies communicate official actions by mail, not urgent phone calls.
• Verify your case status directly on the official USCIS website.
• Consult a licensed immigration attorney if you're unsure about a communication.