North Carolina’s attorney general is urging residents to watch out for scams connected to immigration enforcement.
Scammers are reportedly posing as immigration attorneys or government officials, charging large upfront payments for legal help, and then disappearing.
Their schemes are becoming more sophisticated, according to a statement from Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s office. There are reports of scammers using AI to impersonate reputable lawyers, and even staging legal proceedings via video call.
Victims are often targeted through social media ads and asked to hand over personal documents like birth certificates and passports.
Officials advise residents to verify an attorney’s credentials through the North Carolina State Bar or the American Immigration Lawyers Association. They also warn that notaries are not authorized to provide immigration advice.
Free or low-cost legal help can be found through the North Carolina Legal Resource Finder.