$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake USCIS website scam
Scammers create websites that closely mimic the official USCIS site to collect personal information and payment from immigrants who believe they are filing legitimate immigration forms.
“visa scam”
↑ 243%Key indicators
Usually targetsImmigrants
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.4K
median reported loss
Typical range$90 – $9.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers register domains like uscis-gov.com or us-immigration-services.org and build sites that replicate the official USCIS website's appearance.
2
Immigrants searching for immigration forms find these sites through search engines or ads and submit personal information including Social Security numbers, alien registration numbers, and payment details.
3
The scammers harvest the data for identity theft and the fees paid go directly to the scammer, while no forms are ever filed with USCIS.
What to do first
Always navigate directly to uscis.gov — the only official USCIS website will have a .gov domain.
Related terms
USCIS phishing sitefake immigration portalcounterfeit USCIS websiteImmigrant-targeted scamsWebsiteRisingImmigrantsNon-citizensTech workers and developersNonprofit and charity workersImmigrants and visa holdersUnited StatesUSCIS phishing sitefake immigration portal
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Megan, 36, a immigrants, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate immigrant-targeted scams situation while using Website. Scammers register domains like uscis-gov.com or us-immigration-services.org and build sites that replicate the official USCIS website's appearance.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Immigrants searching for immigration forms find these sites through search engines or ads and submit personal information including Social Security numbers, alien registration numbers, and payment details.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The scammers harvest the data for identity theft and the fees paid go directly to the scammer, while no forms are ever filed with USCIS.
The outcome
Megan realized something was wrong when website url does not end in .gov — it uses .com, .org, or .us instead. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Always navigate directly to uscis.gov — the only official USCIS website will have a .gov domain. Megan's experience shows why website url does not end in .gov — it uses .com, .org, or .us instead and site requests credit card information for filing fees that uscis accepts only through pay.gov are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Website URL does not end in .gov — it uses .com, .org, or .us instead
- Site requests credit card information for filing fees that USCIS accepts only through pay.gov
- Layout and content closely resemble uscis.gov but have subtle differences in logo or design
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Always navigate directly to uscis.gov — the only official USCIS website will have a .gov domain.
- ✓Never enter personal information on a website you reached through an ad or search result without verifying the URL.
- ✓Report fake USCIS websites to USCIS at uscis.gov/report-fraud and the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- USCIS and the DHS have taken down hundreds of fraudulent websites impersonating the agency, but new ones appear constantly, with the FTC documenting thousands of complaints annually.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Always navigate directly to uscis.gov — the only official USCIS website will have a .gov domain.
- ✓Never enter personal information on a website you reached through an ad or search result without verifying the URL.
- ✓Report fake USCIS websites to USCIS at uscis.gov/report-fraud and the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
USCIS and the DHS have taken down hundreds of fraudulent websites impersonating the agency, but new ones appear constantly, with the FTC documenting thousands of complaints annually.
USCIS Fraud Alert 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Immigrants, Non-citizens
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Website — Immigrant-targeted scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- USCIS and the DHS have taken down hundreds of fraudulent websites impersonating the agency, but new ones appear constantly, with the FTC documenting thousands of complaints annually.
Source notes
- USCIS Fraud Alert 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake uscis website scam
How does the fake uscis website scam work?+
Scammers register domains like uscis-gov.com or us-immigration-services.org and build sites that replicate the official USCIS website's appearance. Immigrants searching for immigration forms find these sites through search engines or ads and submit personal information including Social Security numbers, alien registration numbers, and payment details. The scammers harvest the data for identity theft and the fees paid go directly to the scammer, while no forms are ever filed with USCIS.
What are the warning signs of fake uscis website scam?+
Website URL does not end in .gov — it uses .com, .org, or .us instead Site requests credit card information for filing fees that USCIS accepts only through pay.gov Layout and content closely resemble uscis.gov but have subtle differences in logo or design
What should I do if I encounter fake uscis website scam?+
Always navigate directly to uscis.gov — the only official USCIS website will have a .gov domain. Never enter personal information on a website you reached through an ad or search result without verifying the URL. Report fake USCIS websites to USCIS at uscis.gov/report-fraud and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for fake uscis website scam?+
This scam primarily targets Immigrants, Non-citizens. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Website.
Is fake uscis website scam on the rise?+
fake USCIS website scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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