What is the 'unauthorized practice of law' (UPL)?

It's when someone who isn't a licensed attorney gives legal advice, prepares legal documents that require legal judgment, or represents someone in a legal matter. In every U.S. state it's illegal — often a crime — and victims can typically get their money back, plus damages for the harm caused.

I paid a notario / immigration consultant / doc-prep service. Do I have a case?

Very likely, yes. Only licensed attorneys (and, in immigration, a small set of federally accredited representatives) can give legal advice or represent you. If a notario, consultant, or doc-prep mill selected forms, chose a strategy, filed on your behalf, or promised results, that's usually UPL — even if they had you sign something.

What can I actually recover?

Depending on your state: full refund of what you paid, additional statutory or punitive damages, and — critically — help undoing the harm to your case (missed deadlines, wrong filings, denied applications). Reporting also helps shut them down so they don't hurt anyone else.

What does this cost me?

Nothing to start. The review is free. Cases are typically handled on contingency by partnering attorneys, so you generally pay nothing unless there's a recovery.

Free case review · no obligation

You paid a "lawyer." They weren't one.

Notarios, immigration consultants, disbarred attorneys, and doc-prep mills take money from thousands of people every year — then miss deadlines, file wrong forms, and wreck cases. If that happened to you, you can likely get your money back and force them to stop.

Report a fake lawyer now See how it works

1. Share what happened

2. We verify the fraud

3. Fight for recovery

No cost to start Confidential Real team reviews every report

Torn Attorney at Law business card on a dark desk beside a broken gavel, symbolizing a fake lawyer scam

Evidence: fake credentials

Notario fraud•Immigration consultant scams•Disbarred attorneys•Doc-prep mills•Paralegals practicing law

UPL laws where you live

Find your state's rules and report options

Reporting guide

California Texas Florida New York Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio Georgia North Carolina Michigan

Sound familiar?

Six red flags of a fake lawyer

If any of these match what happened to you, you likely have a claim.

They called themselves a 'notario' or 'consultant'

In Latin America a notario is a lawyer. In the U.S., calling yourself one to sell legal services is fraud.

They filled out legal forms for you

Non-lawyers can type what you dictate — they cannot choose forms, advise on strategy, or file for you.

They promised a case result

'I'll get you a green card', 'I'll beat the eviction' — only a licensed attorney can advise on outcomes.

They took your money and disappeared

Payment collected, calls unanswered, no filings, and no receipts. Classic UPL fraud pattern.

Your case was denied — because of them

Wrong form. Missed deadline. Frivolous filing. Now the real case is harder or impossible to win.

You can't find them on any bar directory

Every state bar has a public license lookup. If they're not on it, they aren't a lawyer.

Check my claim for free

What you can recover

Refund. Damages. And your case put back on track.

Every state prohibits the unauthorized practice of law. Victims can typically recover the full amount they paid, additional damages, and — where the fake lawyer's mistakes hurt an actual case — help fixing what they broke.

to start · no upfront fees

Cases handled on contingency — you pay nothing unless there's a recovery.

How it works

From "I got scammed" to accountability

Three steps. About a minute of your time.

Step 1

Tell us what happened

Who they were, what they promised, what they charged, and how it hurt you.

Step 2

We investigate

Our team and partnering attorneys verify the UPL, gather records, and check your state's remedies.

Step 3

We go after them

Refund demand, civil claim, bar complaint, and — where applicable — referral for criminal charges.

Start your free case review

Report the fake lawyer that took advantage of you

Answer a few questions in two quick steps. We'll review whether you have a claim and explain your options under your state's law.