Scams that target newcomers to the U.S. — and how to avoid them

Step 1 — Learn the one rule that stops most scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) puts it simply: “Government agencies will never call, email, text, or message you on social media to ask for money or personal information.” No government agency asks you to pay with a wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency or a payment app, and the IRS and its debt collectors will not threaten to arrest you (FTC).

If someone contacts you like this:

• don’t pay and don’t give personal information;
• hang up or delete the message;
• if you want to check, contact the agency yourself, using a phone number or website you know is real — caller ID can be faked.

Step 2 — Get immigration help only from people who are allowed to give it

According to USCIS, only a licensed attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice–recognized organization may give you legal advice on immigration matters (USCIS — Avoid Scams). Accredited representatives are not lawyers; they can only provide immigration legal services through a recognized organization, and the Department of Justice publishes the official lists of both (EOIR — Recognition & Accreditation).

USCIS lists these warning signs, among others (USCIS — Avoid Scams):

• offers to speed up your case in exchange for money;
• promises of quick benefits;
• requests to wire money to an individual, or to pay fees other than through your myUSCIS account;
• emails that look official but come from people you don’t know, or contain spelling mistakes.

Before you type personal information into a website, check that its address ends in .gov and that it uses a secure (HTTPS) connection.

Step 3 — Look for a home without losing your deposit

Rental scams use fake listings to collect an application fee, a deposit or the first month’s rent for a home the “owner” can’t show you. The FTC’s warning signs (FTC — Rental Listing Scams):

• the owner says they are out of the country, or gives another excuse for not showing the home;
• the rent is much cheaper than similar homes in the area;
• you’re pressured to decide quickly — “walk away”;
• you’re told you can only pay by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency;
• the same address appears in other ads with a different owner, or is listed for sale instead of for rent;
• someone asks for your Social Security number before you have agreed to rent the place.

What helps: search the owner’s or company’s name with words like “scam”, “complaint” or “review”; visit the home (or at least take a live video tour — though that alone is no guarantee); and remember that paying by wire, gift card or cryptocurrency is like sending cash — you usually can’t get it back.

Step 4 — Spot fake job offers

The FTC’s advice is direct: “Don’t pay for the promise of a job” (FTC — Job Scams). Be careful if:

• you’re asked to pay for training, certifications, job lists or a job guarantee;
• you receive a check and are asked to send part of the money back or buy gift cards — “No honest potential employer will ever send you a check to deposit”;
• the job is to receive packages at home and ship them on — “Reshipping goods is never a real job”;
• you’re promised a lot of money, fast, for little work.

For job searches, the FTC points to official sources such as USAJobs.gov and CareerOneStop, as well as your local government’s websites.

Step 5 — Protect your heart and your money online

Romance scammers build an online relationship and then invent a reason to ask for money. The FTC’s rule: “Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person” (FTC — Romance Scams). Talk to someone you trust if a new online relationship starts involving money. If you’re feeling lonely in your new home, see our guide on building your circle.