July 24, 2012

AILA has received reports of a new scam potentially victimizing aliens. As part of the scam, individuals receive a call purporting to be from a USCIS officer, who will have certain correct information about you, including your name and address. The caller will state that there is some discrepancy in USCIS records, and ask for confirmation of data, such as an I-94 number, an “A” number, or a visa control number. The caller will then tell the individual that there is a penalty for not clearing up the discrepancy, and that you are to send a sum of money via Western Union, to an address the caller provides. BE ON ALERT that you may be receiving such calls, and if you do, report them to appropriate law enforcement authorities, including the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.