At Rodriguez & Associates, the safety and trust of our clients is our top priority. We have been notified that scammers are fraudulently using our name, logo, and even our physical address to deceive individuals into paying upfront legal fees.
In late May 2025, a man contacted our office after being charged a $5,000 retainer fee by someone falsely claiming to be one of our attorneys. The scammer misrepresented himself as a legal expert in immigration law, used our branding to appear legitimate, and convinced the victim that payment was necessary to begin work on his case. Although infrequent, this is unfortunately not the first time this has happened, both at our firm and at others.
We want to clarify: this was a scam. While we are taking all measures to prevent this from happening again, it’s important to understand key points that will help safeguard you from impersonators pretending to be Rodriguez & Associates.
Here’s What You Need to Know:
- Rodriguez & Associates does not take upfront fees.
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if and when we win your personal injury case. - We do not handle immigration or criminal defense cases.
If someone claims to represent us for anything other than personal injury law, it is not legitimate. - We will never solicit money over email, text, or social media.
Always be cautious if someone contacts you online claiming to be from our firm and asks for payment.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Contact us directly before sending money to anyone claiming to be from Rodriguez & Associates.
You can reach us at (661) 777-7575. We are happy to verify whether the person you’re speaking to is a member of our team. - If something feels off, trust your instincts.
Growing technology has enabled scammers to become more sophisticated by using stolen logos, fake documents, and pressure tactics. Don’t be afraid to double-check. - Report suspected scams.
If you believe you’ve been contacted by a scammer using our name, please notify us immediately. We also recommend filing a report with your local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Our team has worked hard to establish a trusted reputation within Kern County, and it is devastating to hear when someone in our community has been taken advantage of, especially by someone pretending to be part of our legal team. We are committed to doing everything possible to protect the community we serve.
Stay diligent, and please contact our office at (661) 777-7575 if you have any concerns.