ESTA scam site

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096648#Comment_82096648

No, I think cancelling passports would be an overreaction (especially as you'd need to reapply for ESTAs as well as the passport fees!) - just keep an eye on your credit files, or go for the CIFAS protection if you're really concerned.

bagand96

I've given my passport details and photos of my passport to countless organisations over the years. Most hotels abroad take a copy at check in, when using Airbnb or other private apartment rentals I've had to send passport info, sometimes by Whatsapp. Even some tour companies have needed it.

It's always good to be cautious and more vigilant if you sense a risk. The website appears to be there to make a quick buck by duping people to over pay for their ESTA. You may think it's a dubious business model, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're going to go on and commit ID fraud.

michael1234

Yes and also be cautious and vigilant regarding who is giving you advice here. I include my own "advice" as much as anyone else's. What I mean is, is the person just a serial poster who likes to reply to thousands or tens of thousands of posts on a large number of subjects or is the poster someone with knowledge germane to your question?

I have no specific knowledge on this but here's my random answer anyway. If it was me I'd certainly be attempting a chargeback on the basis that I believed I was purchasing US immigration permission from the an official US site. i.e. I didn't know who I was buying from because the vendor was actively trying to hide who they are. They'd see in two minutes that these sites are essentially scam sites and in any case it costs nothing to try.

eskbanker

If it was me I'd certainly be attempting a chargeback on the basis that I believed I was purchasing US immigration permission from the an official US site. i.e. I didn't know who I was buying from because the vendor was actively trying to hide who they are.

As pointed out in earlier posts, they're not actively trying to hide who they are and make it clear that they're not the official site - there isn't a chargeback reason for 'choosing an expensive site to purchase from', although if the card-issuing bank is prepared to play along then there's always the potential that it might work if the merchant doesn't challenge it…

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6679220/esta-scam-site

Onlly chance of getting money back is if they do not provide the service.

Stopping card is just a pain to you, no one else. If they want to set up a CPA they still can. Visa & Mastercard both have update systems that allow retailer to get new card details.

soolin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096728#Comment_82096728

I'm not sure the statement 'actively trying to hide who they are' really stands up to scrutiny though. Others have already pointed out, with links to the site that actively declares itself as not the official site:on the opening page alone, without having to scroll anywhere it makes several references to not being an official government site and even states how much it would be if you actually applied direct and not use their services.

.Home - US ESTA Application Assistance

Fast-Track eVisa Services. Not a Government Website.

Not affiliated with the U.S. Government.

ABOUT US

About Our Organization

We operate as an independent entity, with no affiliations with the United States government. We assist travelers in their Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process for entering the United States.

Our step-by-step immigration guidance helps simplify the ESTA application process from start to finish.

____

How much clearer would you expect a site to be?

Yes these sites do prey on people who perhaps are newish to online purchasing and in the past we've seen sites that don't make it as clear as this one who or what they are. I think it is unfortunate for the OP that they have paid for a service that they now realise they didn't need, but this is not a scam nor is it likely to be a reasonable chargeback claim - although has been stated above there is always the possibility that the company won't defend a claim if the OP can persuade the bank to open one. The claim though is unlikely yo even be attempted until the estimated arrival time for the ESTA passes- and a chargeback can be appealed for several weeks after buyer gets a refund (I did one myself recently on an unrelated matter) .So if OP decides to try a chargeback it's a gamble that they ould then need to apply via the genuine site but risk dulpicating the purchase if the original application goes through. If OP leaves it for the 6 weeks or so that a chargeback can be recalled- then they risk running out of time to make a claim direct.

NoodleDoodleMan

It is not a scam in the sense that it is legal - other outfits use a similar ploy - in essence they act as an agency to provide something which can be obtained direct from the appropriate official US government department - then add a fee for their services.

I first encountered this when booking tickets to visit Alcatraz during a stay in San Francisco - the tour can be booked direct with the US National Park Services, whereas others offer the same plus their nice little earner.

Always use the official sites.

Pollycat

These websites have been around a long, long time.

They have been discussed at length on here for years.

Here's one dating back 12 years!

Passport Renewal nightmare — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Offering passport renewals, booking driving tests, EHICs (now GHICs) etc.

As long as they are up-front about not being the official website - and this one seems to be up-front - it's down to personal responsibility to make sure you are on the official website.

Here is an amusing thread about copycat ESTA websites, dating back to 2013:

MSE News: US travellers' Esta warning after Boris Johnson aide stung by copycat site — MoneySavingExpert Forum

And this is a post from December 2013 after OFT had investigated EHIC websites:

Copycat websites exist for:

• EHIC
• Driving licence renewal
• Driving test application
• ESTA
• Passport renewal

There may also be others that I'm not aware of.

OFT investigated some of these sites a while ago, this is their summary:


Summary of work







The OFT has decided, on administrative priority grounds, to close its investigation into websites which charge consumers for processing applications for a range of government services, such as European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), which are available free or at a low cost if obtained directly from the government.




The investigation examined whether there had been an infringement of consumer protection legislation, in particular the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Among the matters investigated, the OFT looked at whether these websites were deceptively presenting themselves as official government websites.




The OFT found that in most instances the sites investigated carried statements explaining the nature of the service provided and disclaiming any official status or affiliation with the government.




The OFT also worked with central government to help official government websites appear more prominently when searched for online.




The OFT prioritises its work in accordance with its published

 

prioritisation principles

. Broadly speaking, it focuses its efforts and resources on deterring and influencing behaviour that poses the greatest threat to consumer welfare




Based on the results of its investigation and the improvement in online searches,

 

the OFT has concluded that potential for significant consumer detriment is low and there is insufficient evidence of breaches of consumer protection legislation to warrant prioritising formal enforcement action in this instance.

 

It may reconsider its decision in the future if it receives further evidence of suspected infringements, or its prioritisation assessment changes.




The OFT is, however, concerned that people visiting a website that charges for processing applications for a government service may not always be aware that they can save money by going direct to the government, so has issued a consumer alert to help raise awareness and warn people to be cautious when entering their card payment details online.





See the parts highlighted in red.

Basically, OFT believe most of these websites are operating within the law.

Also see the part highlighted in blue.Report

heatherw_01

As some have pointed out, its not a scam site. Its a real site. They do the work for you and charge you a fortune for it.

They do make this clear on their site too.

So you haven't been scammed, you just didn't go via the official route.

This is the MSE article on ESTAs which also speaks about these unofficial sites: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/esta-usa-visa/

martindow

The person unfortunate enough using one of these sites has to enter all of the information exactly as if they were on the .gov site. I find it hard to see what additional work this and similar sites do in return for being so royally rewarded.

Although they disclose their fees and say they are not the official site, they only exist to trap people who fail to notice this until too late. They do seem very close to being fraudulent and I'm surprised that they continue to be allowed to operate.