As September comes to a close, many Arizonans watch closely as another major deadline loomed in Washington.  Oct. 5 is the cutoff date for DACA recipients to file for renewal.

But with that urgency, immigration attorney Alma Montes De Oca warned scam artists are using the deadline as an opportunity to snag the $495 renewal fee from desperate applicants seeking assistance with their filings.

Now is the time to be very cautious and verify sources, “Reach out to people that you trust,” she said, “At this point, we have a massive push as an immigration community to get these renewals.  Because, we have less than a month."

The work permits apply for those with benefits expiring now through March 5, 2018.

For DACA applicants who have permits lasting a year to a year and a half, she cautioned against making major decisions like selling a home, dropping out of school or other life choices before seeking legal advice.