At Whitaker Legal, we help immigrants build a better future. That’s why we want you to know about a serious problem: scammers are pretending to be real immigration lawyers online—and stealing money from hard-working people.

One of these scammers even used the name and photo of our own attorney, Nicole Whitaker, on TikTok to try to fool someone. They asked for her personal information and money. Thankfully, she called our office before it was too late.

But many people are not so lucky.

This issue has gotten so serious that The Washington Post interviewed Attorney Whitaker and quoted her in a recent article about immigration scams.

How the Scam Works

Scammers use apps like TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp. They:

• Pretend to be real lawyers or court workers.

• Use fake names, pictures, or stolen profiles.

• Ask for your full name, address, and phone number.

• Ask for money to “process your case” or hold a fake court hearing online.

Some people have lost $2,000 to $26,000 or more to these scams. And in some cases, the scammers file the wrong papers—which can hurt your immigration case badly.

Why These Scams Happen

Many immigrants feel scared or desperate. They want to protect their families and stay in the U.S. But scammers know this—and they take advantage of it.

The sad truth is: most social media apps don’t stop these fake accounts, even after many reports. And many immigrants don’t know what to look out for.

How to Stay Safe

Here are some tips from our team at Whitaker Legal:

– Never send money to someone you don’t know in person.
– Only trust messages from official law firm numbers and emails.
– Check that your lawyer is licensed—ask for their bar number.
– If something feels strange, call us directly at 410-207-9272.

We’re Here to Help

We know immigration can be stressful—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Whitaker Legal, we treat you like family. We don’t rush your case or take shortcuts. We build strong, honest plans to help you stay in the U.S. and protect your loved ones.

If you’re not sure if a message is real, call us. It’s always better to ask than to lose your chance at legal help.

Together, We Can Stop These Scams

Our mission is to serve with excellence, humility, and hope. That includes protecting our clients from fake lawyers who want to take advantage of them.

If you or someone you know has been contacted by a scammer, or if you need immigration help, reach out to us today. We’re ready to fight for your future.

Call us at 410-207-9272 or visit our website to schedule a consultation.