DALLAS (AP) — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Tuesday said his office is cracking down on notaries public who misrepresent themselves as legal professionals to scam money out of thousands of immigrants — a practice that was specifically outlawed two years ago.
He said con artists prey on Hispanic victims who confuse the English term “notary” and the Spanish term “notario.” Some people with notary public licenses from the state unlawfully present themselves as “notarios publico,” which in Mexico are also licensed attorneys.
Abbott said such notaries often disappear with their clients’ money, charge high fees for filing unnecessary documents or perform poor-quality services that jeopardize immigration cases.
Abbott said victims who come forward will not be questioned about their country of origin or immigration status. He urged anyone who believes they’ve been victimized by such scams to call (800) 252-8011.