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How to avoid Green Card lottery scams
Scams around the Green Card lottery are common: fake websites, "you won" messages and "agencies" asking for money. A few simple rules will keep you safe.
In short
- The only official site: dvprogram.state.gov
- The registration fee is $1, paid only on that site
- Nobody can increase your chances of being selected
- Winners aren't emailed or texted: you check the result yourself
- Never give anyone your confirmation number
The most common scams
- "Congratulations, you won!"By email, text, WhatsApp or phone. The State Department doesn't contact winners this way.
- Requests for moneyThey ask you to pay a "visa fee", "processing fee" or "ticket fee" by card or transfer.
- Fake websitesThey look like the official site, but the address doesn't end in .gov. Some charge dozens of dollars to "register".
- An "agency" enters for youThey put their own email on the form and keep your confirmation number, then charge you to reveal the result.
- "Guaranteed visa" or "extra chances"Nobody can improve your odds in the lottery. Such promises are always fraud.
How to protect yourself
- Check the addressThe official sites are dvprogram.state.gov and travel.state.gov. The address ends in .gov.
- Check your result yourselfOnly at dvprogram.state.gov, under Entrant Status Check, with your confirmation number.
- Know who you're payingOfficial fees go only to the U.S. government: $1 when you enter and, if selected, the visa fee.
- Keep your number yourselfIf someone fills in the form for you, have them use your own email, and keep the confirmation number yourself.
If you get a suspicious message
Don't reply, don't click links and don't send money. Check your result on the official site yourself. If you still have questions, see the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan or the U.S. embassy in your country.
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Sources
- U.S. Department of State: Diversity Visa Program
- dvprogram.state.gov: official entries and results
- U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan