Do NOT respond to emails regarding your immigration status, unless they are from your immigration attorney. Our Ohio immigration lawyers are posting this important article in an attempt to keep you and your loved ones from being the victims of fraud.
Scam artists are sending emails falsely claiming that the recipient won the Green Card lottery or Diversity Visa lottery and instructing him or her to mail or wire money. It is a scam. This is NOT how you get a green card.
Do NOT mail or wire money to anyone other than your immigration attorney or at your attorney’s direction. Never ever.
Examples of Scam Artist Email Addresses
Although scam artists can use hundreds of different email addresses, here are some that are known to have been used as reported on the USCIS website:
@kccdv.org, @greencard-org.com, @usafis-org.com, @usa-dv-gov.org, @diplomats.com, @usa.com, @usa-lottery-gov.org, @visa-gov-us.org, @post.com, @dv-state.com
These email addresses are all fake; they do not belong to any governmental agency. All governmental agencies use email addresses, ending in “gov” such as the USCIS’s website address, www.uscis.gov/
Don’t be Fooled by Official Looking Emails
These scam artists know how to create a really good fake email. Be careful, the heading says “Department of State,” it’s a fake. They use fake titles, colors, and logos.
It this email, potential victims are asked to wire (Western Union) $879 per person to someone in London. If you receive a similar email, do NOT follow the directions or you’ll lose your money and be no closer to receiving a Green Card.
Do Not Fax Any Information
The USCIS reported in October 2011 that the scam artists had expanded their scheme to request that victims fax a copy of their Western Union receipt to +44 207 691 7968.
Never fax any information to any other than your immigration attorney or to someone at the explicit direction of your attorney. Your attorney is on your side; no one else is. There are no short cuts to getting a Green Card or Diversity Visa.
To Keep Safe, Remember
To keep safe, keep these tips in mind:
- Any website or email from the government, always ends in “gov”
- The USCIS, State Department, or any other government entity will NEVER email you requesting “processing fees”
- Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission
- Always work with a qualified immigration attorney and if you receive any emails or letters, ask your attorney if they are legitimate.
Where to Get Help with Immigration Issues
We focus our practice on immigration law and help people just like you every day. We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.
We will do our very best to protect you from Green Card and Diversity Visa Email scams, while helping your to reach your individual immigration goals. Your next step is to contact our office (Ohio immigration Lawyers): 513-791-1673 or Thomasjr@geygan.com. We look forward to hearing from you.