USCIS / immigration impersonation scam

A caller claims to be from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), ICE, or the State Department. They tell the victim — typically an immigrant, sometimes a US citizen with foreign-sounding name — that there is a problem with their visa, green-card application, or status that requires immediate payment to resolve. The threat is deportation, arrest, or loss of legal status.

USCIS does not collect fees by phone, does not threaten deportation by phone, and does not accept gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto as payment for anything. Immigration enforcement is handled in writing through official channels.

The scam preys on real fear of immigration consequences and often targets immigrant communities through localized lists.

"Sir, this is Officer Patel from USCIS. We have a serious issue with your application. There is an outstanding fee of $2,400 that must be paid today to avoid case denial. Failure will result in immediate notification to ICE and potential removal proceedings."

Or in the victim's first language, sometimes in heavily accented English:

"Your green card is being revoked due to incorrect paperwork. Pay the reinstatement fee within 24 hours via wire transfer to keep your status."

• Phone call demanding immediate payment for any immigration matter.
• Threats of deportation, arrest, or removal proceedings to pressure payment.
• Payment via gift cards, wire, prepaid debit, or crypto.
• Caller knows your name, address, and some immigration history (typically purchased from breached data).
• Caller refuses to give you a written notice or case number you can verify.
• Pressure to keep the call confidential or not contact a lawyer.
• Variant where the caller offers to "expedite" your case for a fee.

1. Hang up. USCIS does not call to demand payment.
2. Verify any application status at my.uscis.gov using your real case number.
3. Call USCIS directly at 1-800-375-5283 to check on any claimed issue.
4. Talk to a licensed immigration attorney. Many bar associations offer free consultations for immigration matters.
5. USCIS communicates by mail. Letters arrive in the postal service, not text or phone calls.
6. Real USCIS fees are paid through specific portals, never via gift cards or wire to individuals.

• Contact gift-card issuers and your bank immediately.
• File complaints with USCIS, FTC, IC3, and your state attorney general.
• Document everything — call recordings if available, screenshots, transfer records.
• Talk to a licensed immigration attorney. Free legal help is available through nonprofits like the Catholic Legal Immigration Network and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
• Do not provide more documents to the scammer "to prove" anything.
• Check your real USCIS case status. Your actual application should be intact.

• Do not pay any "fee" demanded by a phone caller claiming to be from immigration.
• Do not wire money or buy gift cards to "expedite" or "save" your case.
• Do not share copies of your immigration documents with phone callers.
• Do not let fear of deportation override basic verification — verification protects you, not endangers you.

• FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov — the broadest US fraud intake; reports flow to thousands of law-enforcement agencies.
• FBI IC3: ic3.gov — the right destination when the scam is internet-enabled (phishing, BEC, romance, crypto).
• CFPB: consumerfinance.gov/complaint — for complaints about banks, money transmitters, payment apps, credit cards, debt collection.
• IdentityTheft.gov — if any identity information (SSN, driver's license, account credentials) was shared.
• Your bank or payment platform. Call the number on the back of your card or use the app's in-product help. Time matters — wires can sometimes be recalled within hours; ACH and Zelle are harder but worth trying.