Travel-Related Scams

As consumers prepare for spring or summer travels it is important to know what resources are trustworthy and reliable when obtaining travel documentation.

Online Passport Services

Consumers applying for or renewing a passport may start with a simple internet search. However, the top results might lead to websites that seem official, but are actually run by private companies who charge for otherwise free services. These websites might use official names, flags, and government seals, or claim to have a special relationship with the government. Some may even be outright scams that solicit money and personal information but do not provide any service at all. Travel.State.Gov is the official government website for passport services. There is a charge to get a passport, but the forms to renew and apply are free. Some legitimate companies registered with the U.S. Department of State (which are listed on travel.state.gov’s ‘Courier and Expeditor Companies’ webpage) charge extra fees to submit applications or pick up passports on consumers’ behalf, but they do not provide unique services or faster delivery. Consumers who encounter a fraudulent passport application or website, or who paid someone who turned out to be a scammer, should file a report at DSSCrimeTips.state.gov.

TSA PreCheck Scams

Some travelers speed up their airport experience with TSA PreCheck. Scammers take advantage of the program’s popularity by sending emails and texts, and posting online ads, offering to enroll or renew users in TSA PreCheck – but when consumers click the link provided, they are taken to a scam website designed to steal their money and personal information. Consumers might not even realize they paid a scammer until they arrive at the airport.

Users applying for TSA PreCheck for the first time do not pay the application fee online. They must complete their application, then pay in person at a TSA enrollment center (which are found in many airports and can be searched for at TSA.gov/precheck). Only scammers will ask new applicants to pay online.

Users who are renewing their TSA PreCheck can pay either in person or online at TSA.gov/precheck. Consumers should type this web address in directly, instead of clicking any links they are sent – even if it appears to go to the correct site. Scam websites look and function almost identically to the real thing, and can be difficult to detect even for well-informed users.