A FOTONOVELA 

FROM THE FEDERAL 

TRADE COMMISSION
The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer 

protection agency. Its mission is to protect consumers from 

fraudulent and deceptive practices. 

This fotonovela is part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to help 

the Latino community avoid scams and stop fraud. For more 

information, visit consumer.ftc.gov/fotonovela.

Report fraud by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or at ftc.gov/complaint.

ABOUT THE FTC
1

I need help with my 

immigration papers. 

I’m going to see the 

notario around the 

corner tomorrow.

Congratulations. 

I also need to find 

someone who can 

help me. Let me 

know how it goes.
2

The next day, Miriam visits Mr. Ruiz who says he’s a notario and 

can help with the immigration process.

I saw your ad that says 

you’re a notario and you 

help people with their 

papers. Can you help me?

Yes, of course. I do this all 

the time. These are all the 

forms we have to submit.
3

A notario, notario público, or notary public isn’t 

an attorney and can’t give you legal advice. 

Notarios will take your money but won’t help you. 

Sometimes, they hurt your chance to immigrate 

lawfully.

Only someone authorized by the U.S. government 

can give you legal advice about the immigration 

process.

Watch 

Out!

!

!

!
4

Just sign these forms 

then I’ll fill them out 

and submit them.

It’s okay. I have 

your information, 

I can fill them out.

But they’re blank.
5

Never sign a blank immigration form or a form 

with false information.

Never pay for immigration forms. U.S. Citizenship 

and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides them 

for free. Call 1-800-870-3676, go to a USCIS 

office, or visit uscis.gov/forms. 

Get immigration information from official U.S. 

government websites that end in .gov. Some sites 

that look official but don’t end in .gov might 

charge you for forms.

!

!

!

Watch 

Out!
6

How did your 

meeting with the 

notario go? Okay, I guess. I paid 

him and he said 

he’d work on my 

application.

At work the next week, Pedro and Miriam catch up.

My neighbor knows 

a lot about the 

immigration process 

and offered to help me 

with my forms.

Really? Are you 

sure she knows 

what she’s doing?
7

People who mean well, like a friend, a family 

member, or a teacher, can cause problems for 

you later.

A friend can only write what you tell them to. 

They can’t tell you what to say or which forms 

to use.

!

!

Watch 

Out!
8

Worried that his neighbor might not be able to help, Pedro decides 

to see Mr. Ruiz because he thinks a notario must know more than 

his neighbor.

Wait, I have to pay 

you now and leave my 

documents? I don’t 

know. I’m going to 

think this over.

Hi, I’m Pedro. My 

cousin Miriam says you 

can help me with my 

immigration papers.

I’d be happy to. Just leave 

me your birth certificate 

and passport. I’ll get started 

today and will update you 

next week. Oh, and I always 

collect a payment during the 

first meeting. 
9

Don’t let anyone keep your original documents. 

Scammers might keep them and make you pay 

to get them back.

Notarios aren’t attorneys and can’t help you 

with the immigration process.

!

!

Watch 

Out!
10

A few weeks later, Miriam and Pedro learn the truth about 

notario scams.

Mr. Ruiz is a fraud! 

He took my money and 

never sent my application. 

It turns out that he’s not 

even authorized to give me 

immigration advice.

Oh no, I’m sorry. I’m 

glad I didn’t give him my 

documents. How’d you 

find out?

I went to a free legal clinic. 

They told me the Federal Trade 

Commission has tips to avoid 

and report notario scams at 

ftc.gov/immigration.
11

Only someone authorized by the government—like a lawyer or an 

accredited representative—can give you legal advice.

A lawyer must be a member of the professional association in their 

state and may charge you a fee. To find an immigration lawyer, you 

can:

• contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or uscis.gov/avoidscams.

• search the American Immigration Lawyers Association website 

at ailalawyer.com.

An accredited representative:

• is not a lawyer but is authorized to give immigration advice.

• must work for an organization recognized by the government. 

The organization might charge you a fee.

Learn more about how to find help at ftc.gov/immigration.
12

I can’t believe what that 

guy did. He lied to you 

and took your money.

I’m lucky he didn’t ruin my 

chances. Now, I’m going to 

report him to the Federal Trade 

Commission. Maybe I can help 

someone like me avoid falling 

for a notario scam.
13

Don’t go to a notario, notario público, or notary public for immigration 

help. Notarios:

– aren’t lawyers and can’t give you legal advice. 

– will take your money but they won’t help you. 

– can hurt your chance to immigrate lawfully.

Forms and Documents

Never sign a blank form or a form with false information.

Don’t pay for immigration forms. Get free forms at uscis.gov/forms, call 

1-800-870-3676, or go to a USCIS office.

Don’t let anyone keep your original documents.

Getting Help

Only someone authorized by the U.S. government—like a lawyer or an 

accredited representative—can give you legal advice. Learn more about 

how to find help at ftc.gov/immigration.

How to Avoid an Immigration Scam

Immigration scams are 

against the law. 

Report them to the FTC at 

1-877-382-4357 or ftc.gov/complaint.
This fotonovela is part of the Federal Trade Commission’s 

ongoing efforts to raise awareness about scams 

targeting the Latino community. The story offers 

information about avoiding notario scams. 

See all of the FTC’s fotonovelas at 

www.consumer.ftc.gov/fotonovela.

Sign up to get free scam alerts and other news at 

ftc.gov/stay-connected.

Order free educational materials from the Federal 

Trade Commission at bulkorder.ftc.gov.

 May 2015