The Department of Consumer Protection is warning residents to be aware of scams that target immigrant communities in Connecticut. These immigration scams, commonly known as “notario” or notary fraud, involve individuals who offer legal immigration services without the required qualifications. These scammers often promise to help with immigration cases, charge legal fees, leaving victims without money, and in some cases, facing serious legal consequences.

In many Spanishspeaking and Latin American countries, a “notario” is a highly trained legal professional who can provide legal advice, draft contracts, and perform other types of legal work. While the literal English translation of the word is “notary,” the roles are very different. In the United States, a “notary public” performs limited administrative acts, such as witnessing signatures or administering an oath, and cannot provide legal advice or legal representation. Because of this difference in meaning, some scammers misuse the word “notario” to make immigrants believe they are attorneys, when they are not.

Notario scammers often come from within the same communities they target—people from the same country of origin, the same church, or the same neighborhood or community group. This familiarity can create a false sense of trust. Scammers may also place advertisements on social media or reach out directly to individuals. In some cases, friends or family may unknowingly refer someone to these scammers, not realizing the person is unqualified to provide immigration legal services.

While immigrationrelated scams continue to rise, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. When seeking immigration legal services, it is important to remember the following:

• Only work with a licensed attorney or authorized representative. Immigration law is complicated, and only licensed attorneys or Department of Justice–accredited representatives are permitted to provide immigration legal services. Before paying anyone, ask to see their credentials. It can also be helpful to speak with more than one attorney to compare prices, learn about their experience with immigration cases, and decide which attorney is the right fit.
• Never pay in cash, gift cards, or digital currency. Scammers often insist on payments that are difficult or impossible to trace, such as cash, gift cards, or digital currency like cryptocurrency. Paying in a traceable form can help protect you and may help you recover money if something goes wrong.
• Do not pay for government forms. All immigration forms from the United States government are free. Always keep copies of any forms you complete and save any documents or notices you receive from the government.
• Never give anyone your original documents. Keep your original passport, birth certificate, and other important documents. Legitimate legal service providers will only make copies and will not ask to keep originals.
• Get immigration information only from official U.S. government websites. Some websites appear official but are designed to deceive consumers. Make sure any website you use for immigration information contains .gov.
• Be cautious of socialmedia contacts. Scammers often use social media to find victims. Do not reply to messages from people you do not know or to advertised immigration services.

If you believe you have been scammed, you are not alone. Each year, the Department receives numerous complaints from consumers affected by these scams. Report suspected fraud to the Department of Consumer Protection by calling the Complaints Center at 8008422649. Acting quickly increases the chance of recovering money and preventing more harm.

This article was written by Diana Shaw, MPH, director of outreach and education for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. To learn more about how the Department of Consumer Protection can help, visit www.ct.gov/dcp.