Attempted to charge $99 for an ESTA when the cost is actually $14...

thetriggerhappypwner

...by a website called "usa-visa.org".

I have a pretty serious question. I completed an ESTA application for the USA last night, and I thought I was on the official ESTA website run by the U.S Customs and Border Protection.

I filled in my details, including my passport info, name, address, and phone numbers and email address. I got to the payment screen, I was asked for my bank card details. I entered them thinking that I maybe the U.S had changed the avaliable payment methods, since it had been a few years since I applied for an ESTA. When I had entered my card details, a screen appeared saying I would be charged $99USD. It was that instant, that I realiesed that I was not on the official CBP website and I immediately cancelled the transaction before it went through and in addition, I froze my bank card to stop them withdrawing any money without my knowledge.

My concern is that they have my passport details, and thus far, I have been unable to find a way to contact them to force them to remove my info in accordance with GDPR 2018. I am not comfortable with them having my full details or my passport details. I entered them because I am aware that the U.S authorities need them for my ESTA, but this scam website appears to be saving them, I need clarification on this, I am worried about ID theft and fraud and someone opening a credit card with my details and I get the bill, and know nothing about it.

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to prevent any of this other than what I have done so far?

NOTE: I did find the official website after this, and submitted my application for an ESTA, just waiting for approval now.

Thanks.

pogofish

Did the MSE Guide or established thread not help..?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4917948/mse-guide-discussion-shyster-sites

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4869030/steps-to-take-if-you-have-been-ripped-off-by-a-copy-cat-government-website

Jumblebumble

thetriggerhappypwner wrote: »

...by a website called "usa-visa.org".

I have a pretty serious question. I completed an ESTA application for the USA last night, and I thought I was on the official ESTA website run by the U.S Customs and Border Protection.

I filled in my details, including my passport info, name, address, and phone numbers and email address. I got to the payment screen, I was asked for my bank card details. I entered them thinking that I maybe the U.S had changed the avaliable payment methods, since it had been a few years since I applied for an ESTA. When I had entered my card details, a screen appeared saying I would be charged $99USD. It was that instant, that I realiesed that I was not on the official CBP website and I immediately cancelled the transaction before it went through and in addition, I froze my bank card to stop them withdrawing any money without my knowledge.

My concern is that they have my passport details, and thus far, I have been unable to find a way to contact them to force them to remove my info in accordance with GDPR 2018. I am not comfortable with them having my full details or my passport details. I entered them because I am aware that the U.S authorities need them for my ESTA, but this scam website appears to be saving them, I need clarification on this, I am worried about ID theft and fraud and someone opening a credit card with my details and I get the bill, and know nothing about it.

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to prevent any of this other than what I have done so far?

NOTE: I did find the official website after this, and submitted my application for an ESTA, just waiting for approval now.

Thanks.

I would stop panicking and forget this
even if you contact them and they claim to have removed your passport details you have no way of knowing if they actually do so
I would think that the chances of any consequence of them having your details are about zero
Enjoy your holiday
JumbleBumbl;e

jpsartre

I wouldn't even bother. If they're gonna use your passport details to commit identity theft they're not likely to care about adhering to GDPR regulations anyway.

thetriggerhappypwner

What are the risks here, I mean, is this site allowed to save my identity details?

Could someone clear up this page and clarify what they are actually saying please?

https://www.usa-visa.org/terms-and-conditions.php

Caz3121

thetriggerhappypwner wrote: »

..
NOTE: I did find the official website after this, and submitted my application for an ESTA, just waiting for approval now.

these sites do need to tell you they are not the official site - bottom of the home page but I agree they are made to look like they are!
usa-visa.org serves as a platform for guidance and assistance to a person (Natural or legal) for their administrative applications of travel. We are not linked or in business with the US government. The paid fee (i.e. USD99) is not negotiable as it covers the expenditure of $14 USA Government application fees and the assistance fee of usa-visa.org's parent company.You may choose to engage our services or visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ and make your request to travel to USA for a lesser fee.

jackieblack

https://www.usa-visa.org/privacy-policy.php

Your Access to and Control Over Information

You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address given on our website: See what data we have about you, if any. Change/correct any data we have about you. Have us delete any data we have about you. Express any concern you have about our use of your data.

thetriggerhappypwner

Well there is a little good news...

I checked my application status, and found that I had been approved for a third time in 6 years! Result!

This application was in fact completed through the OFFICIAL CBP website at the link that Caz3121 has mentioned above.

jackieblack wrote: »

https://www.usa-visa.org/privacy-policy.php

Your Access to and Control Over Information

You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address given on our website: See what data we have about you, if any. Change/correct any data we have about you. Have us delete any data we have about you. Express any concern you have about our use of your data.

I shall email them, and request that they remove all of my data in accordance with GDPR 2018.

bradders1983

Good luck with that.

k3lvc

thetriggerhappypwner wrote: »

I shall email them, and request that they remove all of my data in accordance with GDPR 2018.

Given sites such as these operate on the boudaries of the law (hence why you got hooked by them in the first place) the chances of them deleting are minimal (and even if they do then the chances are the data has been sold many times over already)

thetriggerhappypwner

k3lvc wrote: »

Given sites such as these operate on the boudaries of the law (hence why you got hooked by them in the first place) the chances of them deleting are minimal (and even if they do then the chances are the data has been sold many times over already)

Even though on thier own site they say they don't.