BBB Warning of DACA Scams

With the Trump Administration giving Congress six months to come up with a permanent fix to DACA, many are concerned what that means for the roughly 19,000 Washingtonians impacted by the program.  And with that concern, scammers swoop in to try and separate you from your money.  Kirstin Davis with the local Better Business Bureau told the Washington Ag Network these scams try to play off the emotions and fears.

“This is kind of the perfect recipe for them to say, oh look there’s this group of people that are dealing with a very serious situation especially if you’re also dealing with a language barrier.”

Davis said if you or someone you know needs legal advice or assistance, don’t response to e-mails or web advertisements.  She said it’s important to do your homework.

“There are a lot of resources out there.  Do your own level of research and investigation as to what needs to be done and then decide to get additional help and then what the process would be for that.”

Davis added its also important to keep all of your original documents.

Additional tips from the BBB include:

• Be wary of email, social media messages, phone calls, or other unsolicited sales pitches for legal services, especially if they use scare tactics to frighten you into action.

• Don’t provide confidential information over the phone or via email.

• Never pay for blank government forms. Government forms are free, although you may have to pay a fee when you submit them.

• Be cautious when researching immigration information online. Some scammers set up websites that look like government websites. Look for a .gov domain.

• Don’t let anyone keep your original documents (birth certificate, passport, etc.). Scammers may charge you to get them back.

• Never sign a document you don’t understand, or sign any form that has not been completely filled out.

• Keep a copy of every form you submit, as well as every letter you receive from a government agency.

• Don’t wire money to anyone you don’t know. Once you send it, you cannot get it back. Government agencies usually ask for funds by check or money order, or by a secure transaction on a government (.gov) website.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com