Legal Aid Is Free: Avoid the New Scam Charging for Legal Services

Lone Star Legal Aid is urging community members to stay alert as scammers continue targeting people seeking legal assistance by impersonating nonprofit legal aid organization 

In several states, individuals posing as legal aid representatives have been contacting members of the public by phone calls and text messages. The scammers falsely claim to represent the organization and demand payment for legal services. 

Legal Aid Is Free 

If you qualify for services from Lone Star Legal Aid, you will never be charged for legal assistance. 

Scammers often prey on people who are already facing difficult legal situations by creating a false sense of urgency and convincing them that payment is required to receive help. That is simply not how legal aid works. 

Lone Star Legal Aid will never: 

• Ask you to pay for legal services. 

• Request your bank account or credit card information in exchange for legal assistance. 

• Require payment to schedule an intake or speak with an attorney. 

If someone contacts you claiming to represent Lone Star Legal Aid and asks for money or financial information, it is a scam. 

How the Scam Works 

Scammers may contact people through: 

• Phone calls 

• Text messages 

• Emails 

• Fake websites 

• Fraudulent phone numbers listed in online search results 

In some cases, criminals manipulate online search listings to make fake phone numbers appear to belong to legitimate legal aid organizations. This makes it even more important to verify that you are using official contact information before calling or responding. 

How to Protect Yourself 

If you are seeking legal help, follow these safety tips: 

• Contact Lone Star Legal Aid using the official phone numbers and contact information listed on our website. 

• Never send money to someone claiming you must pay for legal aid services. 

• Do not provide your bank account, debit card, or credit card information to anyone claiming payment is required for legal assistance. 

• Be cautious of unexpected calls or text messages requesting personal or financial information. 

• If something feels suspicious, hang up and contact Lone Star Legal Aid directly to verify the communication. 

If you believe you’ve been contacted by someone falsely claiming to represent Lone Star Legal Aid, do not send money or provide personal financial information. Instead, contact us using our official channels to verify the communication.