San Diego City Attorney Warns of Scammers Targeting Migrants

Impersonators offering legal and immigration assistance are targeting vulnerable individuals, authorities say.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The San Diego City Attorney's Office is warning the public to be cautious of individuals claiming to be attorneys or government representatives offering legal or immigration assistance. The city attorney's office does not provide direct legal services to individuals or outside of California, and is urging residents to report any suspected scams to the State Bar of California and local law enforcement.

Why it matters

Scammers targeting vulnerable migrant populations can take advantage of their immigration status and lack of legal knowledge, putting them at risk of financial exploitation and further legal troubles. The city attorney's warning aims to protect these individuals from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

The details

According to the news release, the San Diego City Attorney's Office says it will never request payment or sensitive personal information by phone, text, social media, or private messaging platforms. The office is reminding residents that 'impersonating an attorney to take advantage of someone in immigration detention is deplorable and unlawful.' The city attorney's office is advising people to confirm credentials, avoid unsolicited offers of legal help, and never send payment to unverified individuals.

  • The San Diego City Attorney's Office issued the warning on February 14, 2026.

The players

Heather Ferbert

The San Diego City Attorney who issued the warning about scammers targeting migrants.

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What they’re saying

“Impersonating an attorney to take advantage of someone in immigration detention is deplorable and unlawful.”

— Heather Ferbert, San Diego City Attorney (wane.com)

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for increased vigilance and consumer protection measures to safeguard vulnerable migrant populations from scams and fraud, especially those involving false claims of legal or immigration assistance.