The New York Department of State issued an alert warning New Yorkers of an increase in tactical immigration fraud aimed at stealing personal information and money.
Scammers are creating fake websites, communicating through text messages and social media, in an attempt to reach out to New Yorkers about their immigration cases, according to the NYS Department of State.
These scams include the impersonation of Immigration officials, with the fake “agents” using unverified ways of communication, like email, WhatsApp, Zoom, Facebook Messenger, or other videoconferencing apps, to conduct “hearings”.
“It is unconscionable to exploit individuals who are working hard, playing by the rules and pursuing the promise of a better future,” New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said in the statement. “These scammers are not only taking advantage of vulnerable communities, but they also undermine the trust in the very systems meant to support them. I urge people to be vigilant, seek information from trusted and verified sources, and report suspicious activity.”
The New York Division of Consumer Protection and the Office for New Americans provided the public with some tips on how to spot scammers and verify legitimate immigration communication sources.
Here are some common immigration scams to look out for.
Common immigration scams to look out for
According to NYS Division of Consumer Protection and Office for New Americans, these are common immigration scams:
How to identify fake services and phishers
In unfortunate cases, phishers may pose as an attorney or notary public, offer an illegitimate “visa lottery” in exchange for money to apply, or offer fake job opportunities. These scams work by phishers posing as legitimate organizations to steal personal information. Here are some tips from the Department of State on how to protect yourself:
Fake Job and Training Opportunities
In the case of reporting immigration fraud, the public is recommended to reach out to the New York Office for New Americans (ONA) hotline at 1-800-566-7636, 8 am – 8 pm, Monday through Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm, excluding federal holidays.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York officials warn of rising immigration fraud
Reporting by Madison Scott and Beyonce Thomas-Reynoso, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Madison Scott and Beyonce Thomas-Reynoso, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
