The Catholic Charities Diocese of Palm Beach is warning South Florida immigrants to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing — in this case, scammers posing as charities’ advocates to prey on non-citizens looking for help finding legal ways to become legal residents and citizens.
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“For the past year, people impersonating Catholic Charities Diocese of Palm Beach have been contacting immigrants across South Florida, offering fake legal help and collecting fees and deposits for services that don’t exist,” the group said in a news release issued on Friday.
“The scammers use the organization’s name and reputation to convince vulnerable immigrants, many navigating an unfamiliar and high-stakes legal process, to hand over personal information and payment.”
Catholic Charities, the social services arm of the diocese, does offer real help to immigrants and their families. but it does not use Facebook ads or private WhatsApp messages to solicit clients.
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“Requests to chat via WhatsApp or provide personal information this way are a major red flag,” the charity warned.
The group is warning targeted victims not to disclose personal or financial information to anyone pretending to be from Catholic Charities and to communicate with the group only through its official website, ccdpb.org, or its Immigration Legal Services phone number, 561-345-2003.
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Rafael Olmeda can be reached at [email protected] or 954-356-4457.