A new scam targeting international travelers is encouraging Americans to complete their passport and visa applications through a fraudulent site.
Hartford resident Anthony Braun, 39, was preparing to go on vacation with his wife when he realized that his passport’s expiration date was just six months away.
Braun decided to do a quick Google search for “passport renewal,” and USPassportandVisa.org appeared as the top option. The fraudulent website falsely claims to assist users in their international travel process, including passport and visa renewal.
Braun was charged $66, but no passport renewal ever came. Instead, a pop-up message from the website instructed him to download the free passport renewal form from the U.S. Department of State website and take it to a U.S. Postal Service office to submit and pay.
According to the Better Business Bureau, the scam site, which launched in January, has successfully collected thousands of dollars from unwitting customers.
The BBB Scam Tracker has recorded over 80 reports of fraudulent activity on the website, including the collection of Social Security numbers, bank information and passport numbers.
Most travelers paid between $60 to $88 for the service with the expectation that their new passports would arrive in the mail six weeks later. Instead, they received a blank copy of the federal government’s passport renewal application, which is available for free online.
When Braun contacted the company, a spokesperson said the organization never claimed to partake in the passport or visa renewal process but did offer resources to help consumers complete the applications.
“I should have checked that first and I didn’t, because the website looked so good,” Braun said.
The Wisconsin BBB said it frequently hears from consumers who click on one of the first websites to pop up after a search — and get fooled.
“Scammers can pay to have their fake websites appear as sponsored ads at the top of search engine results, mimicking the look and feel of legitimate businesses,” said Lisa Schiller, the senior director of investigations and media relations at BBB Wisconsin.
Here’s what else you should know to avoid passport renewal scams:
Where can I apply for a passport?
You can apply for a passport through the U.S. State Department of State website or by mail. Passport applications can also be completed at U.S. Postal Service offices.
How long does it take to get a passport?
There are no businesses that can offer expedited passport delivery. According to the Better Business Bureau and U.S. Department of State, passport renewals can vary in processing times.
Busy travel periods like summer and the holidays often prompt delays in passport delivery. Consumers should keep this in mind when planning to renew or acquire their first passport.
How do I know if I am on the right website?
The websites that appear on Google are not always safe to use. To renew a passport, all applications and information can be found at https://travel.state.gov/.
The BBB recommends being cautious of websites that have pop-up ads or excessively long URLs that mimic government sites.
Before entering your personal information, search the website or business on BBB Scam Tracker to see if any consumers have complained about the platform.
How do I report or protect myself from scams?
The BBB Scam Tracker can assist consumers in confirming the legitimacy of websites where they plan to make a purchase.
Before entering sensitive information online, consumers should review the tracker and news articles to see if people have been impacted by scams.
If you identify a scam, report it promptly to your bank, credit card company, local and federal government agencies and the Better Business Bureau.
Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at tfowlkes@gannett.com.
About Public Investigator
Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is an initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We’ll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to publicinvestigator@jrn.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Need to renew your passport or visa? Watch out for this scam targeting American travelers
Reporting by Tamia Fowlkes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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