Understanding Immigration Consultant Fraud

1. Understanding Immigration Consultant Fraud How to Protect Yourself and Your Opportunity for Citizenship

2. An Overview of Immigration Consultant Fraud • In the United States, a notario, visa consultant or licenciado is not a lawyer and can not provide legal services concerning immigration or citizenship. • In addition to licensed attorneys, there are many legitimate community and religious organizations that provide immigration-related services. • Fraudulent immigration consultants could take your money without ever planning to file the documentation you need to seek citizenship. • If you are the victim of immigration consultant fraud, you could be subject to many consequences, including deportation, and possibly lose the opportunity to become a U.S. citizen. Protect yourself by knowing your rights!

3. How to Spot Notario Fraud • Individuals who advertise as notarios have no legal authority to provide immigration services. • Be suspicious if you are asked to sign documents that are blank, contain false information or that you don’t understand. • Be wary when an individual requests payment before performing any services or asks for more money than already agreed upon.

4. Choose The Right Help • Immigration consultants must be licensed attorneys or accredited representatives. • Ask for a consultant’s credentials and a list of references (former clients) to contact about previous services provided.

5. Get a Written Contract • Demand a written contract of representation from your consultant and review it carefully. • You have a right to rescind or cancel this contract within 72 hours (3 days) of signing it.

6. Check the Contract • Unless signing a contract with a lawyer, the contract must: • Describe the services to be provided and the fees associated with these services; • Notify you of your right to consult an attorney before signing the contract; • Advise you of your right to rescind the contract; • Advise that the consultant is not an attorney and cannot provide legal forms, legal advice or legal services; • Advise that a fee cannot be accepted for referring clients to other persons.

7. Don’t Become a Victim • Never leave your original documents with anyone else. • Have an immigration consultant fully explain the process, timeline and potential risks. • Don’t be pressured into making any decisions that you do not understand or make you feel uncomfortable.

8. Don’t Become A Victim (cont.) • Victims of immigration consultant fraud may be subject to deportation, or possibly lose their opportunity to become U.S. citizens.

9. Know the Costs • Be sure to determine the fees involved, including whether you will be charged a flat rate or by the hour. • Get a receipt for every payment you make. • Never pay fees without understanding the services that will be provided.

10. Who Can You Trust? • Make sure the immigration consultant you are working with is licensed to provide services. You can do so through : • Maryland Client Protection Fund • (410-685-7878 or 1-800-492-1964) • American Immigration Lawyers Association • (1-800-954-0254) • U.S. Department of Justice • (202-514-2000) • Various community organizations in your area

11. Remedies • If you are a victim of immigration consultant fraud, you may be able to recover: • Any fees paid to the consultant • Reasonable attorney fees • Damages up to three times the amount paid

12. How to file a complaint • To file a complaint by phone: • Call the Consumer Protection Division • Mediation Unit hotline at 410-528-8662or 1-888-743-0023. • To file a complaint by mail: • Mail a copy to Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Attn: Mediation Unit, 200 Saint Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. • Attach copies of relevant documents (keep originals). • To file a complaint over the Internet: • Go to www.oag.state.md.us • Click on “Quick Link” for “File a Consumer Complaint” on the right hand side of the website and follow the instructions.

13. Thank You