Notario Fraud


Read time: 6 minutes

What is Notario Fraud?

In many Latin American countries, a “notario” is a highly trained lawyer. In the U.S., a “notary public” is not a lawyer and has limited power. Scammers take advantage of this difference by calling themselves “notarios” to trick people into paying for legal services they are not allowed to provide.

Notario fraud is dangerous, because people may lose money to fake legal services. Bad legal advice can ruin immigration cases or cause serious legal problems.

Scammers often target immigrant communities who may not know the difference between a U.S. notary and a notario.

How to Protect Yourself

Only licensed attorneys and certain accredited representatives can give legal advice about immigration or other legal matters.

  • Do not go to a notario, notario público, or a notary public for legal advice. In the U.S., notarios are not lawyers. They cannot give you legal advice.
  • Always ask for a person’s credentials and check if they are licensed in Connecticut.
  • Even if someone you trust refers you to the person, check that they are a licensed attorney or an accredited representative. Never pay them in cash or crypto.
  • Never pay for government forms from the U.S. government. Government forms are free.
  • Do not let anyone keep your original documents, like your passport or birth certificate.
  • Keep copies of any documents you fill out or get.
  • Only get immigration information from U.S. government websites. Make sure that the website address has .gov in it. That means the website is from the U.S. government.

Signs of Notario Fraud

  • Using the Title "Notario" - Someone calls themselves a “notario” or “immigration consultant” and offers legal advice.
  • Blank Forms - They ask you to sign blank forms.
  • Cash or Crypto Payments - They ask you to pay in cash or crypto.
  • Won't Show Their License or Written Agreements - The person refuses to show you their license or give you written agreements.
  • Social Media - Beware of people on social media who offer to help you or advertisements on social media.

Report Notario Fraud

Immigration scams are illegal. Report notario fraud and immigration scams to:

  • Connecticut Consumer Protection - Call 800-842-2649.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Call 1-877-382-4357.

Who Can Give You Help With Immigration?

Immigration cases can be difficult. You need help from someone who can handle your forms and meetings correctly.

An immigration lawyer can help you. Someone authorized by the U.S. government can help you, too. This person is called an “accredited representative”.

Only an immigration lawyer or an accredited representative can handle your immigration forms and meetings correctly.

Honest people you trust, like your family or friends, may offer help. These helpers should write or translate what you tell them to, but they should not give you legal advice.

Sometimes there are people in your community who have experience with immigration. These people might be able to speak with the government for you. This is called representing you. These people cannot charge you a fee. You should not pay these people.

Immigration Resources

  • Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants
    Phone: 203-336-0141
    Website: https://cirict.org

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