ESTA scam site

Mijapo

I've been duped by usimmigrationdocument.org when applying for 2 ESTAs

They charged me £133 x 2 (rather than the $40 going direct)

I've cancelled our credit card and I am disputing the charge (the ESTAs appear to be being processed!) but am now worried about a company having our data (including passport info)

What is the best thing to do going forward? Is signing up to Cifas worth it? Or do I just need to stay vigilant and keep checking my credit report?

eskbanker

Not sure that there are actually any grounds for disputing the charge if the company provided the service you paid them for?

Unconvinced that it's worth signing up for CIFAS protective registration though, as that just limits the ability to set up new credit facilities, which is unlikely to be an outcome here IMHO, but more general vigilance is definitely a good idea…

Isthisforreal99

It's not a 'scam' as such, you are getting what you paid for, albeit at more than it could have been - failure to read what you are paying for is not a reason to contest a credit card charge.

eskbanker

The front page of their site does make it pretty clear that it's not the official route and is substantially more expensive:

Isthisforreal99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096617#Comment_82096617

And also gives you the official US Government site at the bottom-

"This website is NOT affiliated with any United States governmental agency. Our platform provides step-by-step assistance to ensure applications are complete and accurate. Our service and fees are optional. Applicants can apply directly at esta.cbp.dhs.gov"

bagand96

Whilst the site is obviously set up to dupe tourists into paying 4x the price of an ESTA for their "Assisted Service" is there anything specific that makes you think your data might be at risk?

Agree with @eskbanker that being more vigilant is a good idea but I'd not go to the hassle of CIFAS. They have after all delivered what you payed for.

Mijapo

Thanks @bagand96 - completely agree that I was an idiot - just feels odd and worrying that a company like that now has my passport details etc (credit card cancelled) - I am not an expert of identity theft and am just feeling a little exposed

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096639#Comment_82096639

Not sure that passport details (in terms of number, expiry date, etc) are as much of a risk as you might think, when it comes to potential identity theft - most ID checks will seek passports specifically as photo ID…

Mijapo

@eskbanker part of the application process on this site is to upload a photo of your passport

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096644#Comment_82096644

Ah right, that is more of a risk then!

Mijapo

@eskbanker is there anything you would suggest then to protect us? I am loathed to cancel and apply for new passports but if I have to, then so be it