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How to spot fake immigration agents and ICE scam calls

Scammers use fear of ICE to take money. They call to say a relative is detained and needs bond today. They show up in vests and demand cash. Real immigration officers do not ask you for money. Here is how to tell the difference, what to say, and where to report it.

Where this applies
Federal rules apply everywhere in the U.S. California crime law and reporting channels apply in California. Rapid response lines listed for San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Facts checked
Who it’s for

Immigrants, Dreamers and families anywhere in the U.S., and the neighbors, pastors and teachers who help them. California rules and Bay Area hotlines are labeled.

On this page

Take the next step

This page is about people who pretend to be ICE or other immigration officials. For fake lawyers, notarios and form helpers, see Warning signs of an immigration scam. This is general information, not legal advice.

How can I tell a fake immigration agent from a real one?

Watch for what they ask for. California's Attorney General warned about a rise in fake ICE officers in March 2025 and gave clear signs (California Attorney General, March 18, 2025):

  • Real immigration officers do not ask for money or bank details. Anyone who demands cash, a payment app, a wire, gift cards or crypto to "fix" your case or free a relative is a scammer.
  • Real officers do not usually call to warn you that you are about to be arrested.
  • Real officers carry badges and credentials. You can ask to see them.
  • Government websites end in .gov. Be careful with .com or .net sites that look official.

Other red flags:

  • They say you must pay right now or someone will be deported today.
  • They ask you to keep it secret from family or a lawyer.
  • They threaten you with arrest unless you pay a "fine" or "fee."
  • They ask for your Social Security number, A number or passport by text or phone.
  • The caller ID shows a government name or number. Callers can fake caller ID; federal law makes it illegal when done to cheat you (47 U.S.C. 227(e)). A name on your screen does not prove who is calling. Hang up and call the agency back on a number you find yourself on its .gov site.

USCIS says it does not take Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal or gift cards for immigration fees, and will never ask you to pay a person by phone or email (USCIS).

What if someone at my door says they are ICE?

Real or fake, the first steps are the same.

  1. Keep the door closed. Talk through the door or a window.
  2. Ask who they are. "What are your names, and what agency are you with?"
  3. Ask them to show ID and papers through a window or under the door.
  4. Ask for a warrant signed by a judge. Legal groups advise that you do not have to open the door for an immigration officer's form (often an I-200 or I-205). See If immigration agents come for how to read a warrant.
  5. Do not pay and do not hand over documents like your passport or ID card.
  6. Call your rapid response line. In San Mateo County, (203) 666-4472. In Santa Clara County, (408) 290-1144. Both are open 24/7 and teams try to verify reports (San Mateo County; Sacred Heart Community Service). Elsewhere in California, use the CCIJ list of local hotlines.

When federal immigration officers make an arrest, federal rules say they must, when it is practical and safe, identify themselves as immigration officers and say why the person is under arrest (8 CFR 287.8(c)(2)(iii)).

About masks and IDs. California passed a law requiring officers to show ID (SB 805). On October 14, 2026, the Ninth Circuit blocked its enforcement against federal officers, so you cannot count on a federal agent showing ID under California law (Ninth Circuit, No. 26-926). A real officer may wear a mask. A fake one may wear a vest that says POLICE. That is why the money test matters most.

If anyone tries to force you into a car, hurts you or threatens you, call 911.

What if someone calls about a detained relative?

This is the most common setup. The caller says your son, sister or husband was picked up and needs bond, a lawyer fee or a "release fee" paid now.

  1. Hang up. Do not give any names, dates of birth or A numbers to the caller.
  2. Call your relative directly. Then call people who would know where they are.
  3. Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator. You need their A number and country of birth, or their exact name and country of birth. A new arrest may not show up right away, and people under 18 are not listed (ICE).
  4. Call your rapid response line. They help families find detained people and connect to lawyers.
  5. If bond is really set, it is paid to ICE through its CeBONDS system or a bond company, not to a caller. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, law firms and nonprofits can post bond through CeBONDS (ICE). A real lawyer or a trusted nonprofit can help you do this.

For more on what to do in the first hours, see Emergency money help when a family member is detained.

What other ICE and immigration scams should I watch for?

  • Fake court or USCIS calls. "You missed your hearing, pay now or be deported." Check your court case yourself with EOIR's case information line, 800-898-7180, or call USCIS at 800-375-5283 (USCIS).
  • "Pay to get off the ICE list." Treat any offer to take your name off an ICE list for money as a scam. Before you pay anyone, call your rapid response line or a free legal aid group (listed below) and ask them to check it.
  • Fake raid alerts on social media that push you to a website or a paid "protection" service. Check with your rapid response line before you share or pay.
  • People who say they can stop a deportation for cash because they know someone at ICE. California bars consultants from claiming special influence (Business and Professions Code 22444).
  • Texts or emails with links asking you to "confirm" your status or pay a fine.

The Attorney General's advice also covers signing: do not sign anything you do not understand, and never sign a blank or wrong form (California Attorney General).

What do I do if I already paid?

You are not the only one this has happened to, and it is not your fault. Act fast.

  1. Stop paying. Scammers often come back for more.
  2. Call your bank, card company or payment app right away. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment. For gift cards, call the number on the back of the card.
  3. Write everything down: phone numbers, names, what they said, how much you paid and when. Keep screenshots and receipts.
  4. Report it. The Attorney General says to report fake ICE officers and scams to local law enforcement. You can also report to the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report (California Attorney General). USCIS also says to contact local police if you lost money (USCIS).
  5. Talk to a free legal aid group if the scammer has your documents or personal information.

The federal FTC fraud reporting site, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, showed a shutdown notice on October 21, 2026 and was not taking reports (FTC). Try it again once the federal government reopens.

How can I protect my family before this happens?

  • Agree on a family code word. A caller who says they are with your relative but does not know the word is not.
  • Keep a list of your relatives' A numbers and countries of birth in a safe place, so you can check the locator yourself.
  • Save your rapid response number in every phone.
  • Make a family plan. See Make a family preparedness plan.
  • Talk to older relatives. Scammers often call grandparents.

Questions people ask

The caller knew my relative's name and birthday. Does that mean it is real? No. Scammers find names on social media or from other scams. Check the locator and call your relative.

Can ICE take a payment over the phone? ICE says bonds are paid through its online CeBONDS system, through a bond company, or in person at an ICE office case by case (ICE). Do not pay anyone who calls asking for bond money. Hang up and call your rapid response line.

What if the person at my door is a real agent? Keeping the door closed and asking for papers is still the right first step. See If immigration agents come and carry a red card.

Should I post a warning online? Tell your rapid response line first so they can check it. Sharing unverified sightings can spread fear.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

Is there a card I can print?

Sources

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Printed from https://donotlosehope.com/guides/spot-fake-immigration-agents-ice-scam/. Facts checked October 21, 2026. Free information, not legal advice.

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