Attorney General Warns Peninsula Residents of Immigration Scams During Tax Season

By Bay City News Service:

Attorney General Kamala Harris is asking the public to be on the lookout for immigration scams during tax season.

In a statement released Tuesday, Harris advised consumers to take caution if a tax preparer offers to help prepare and file immigration forms or asks for fines to be paid directly to them.

She warns that individuals and businesses that prepare tax returns may not be authorized to help with immigration services. Only licensed attorneys and representatives accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals can give legal advice regarding immigration, such as advising which forms to submit and communicating with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Getting help from unauthorized sources can delay the processing of a case, cost unnecessary fees and possibly lead to deportation, Harris said in the statement. She encouraged consumers to report suspected immigration scams to the Attorney General’s Office.

For more information on how to recognize and avoid immigration scams, visit http://www.uscis.gov/avoidscams (English) or http://www.uscis.gov/eviteestafas (Spanish).

(Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone)