Warning on ESTA application

[eric2011]

To seasoned travellers to the USA this wont mean much to you and it is intended for first time ESTA application applicants.

When its time to apply for your Visa waiver and you google "ESTA" make sure you go to the correct website.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

I had to renew mine this week and went and googled ESTA, filled in all my details (10-15 mins work) then got to the pay part and the total was $84 each. Luckily I had done it before and new the correct price. I noticed in small print that this application was to submitted by a 3rd party. This on-line form is very convincing and does appear to be a form from the CBP.

The correct application (also 10-15 mins to fill out) only costs you $14 per person and usually approval is instant.

I wonder how many people get caught with not knowing any diferent

The USA embassy in Canberra also offer this warning:

ESTA Fraud Warning

Visa applicants are advised to be cautious in all dealings with companies that claim to offer assistance in obtaining U.S. visas. There are many websites and e-mail scams which attempt to mislead customers and members of the public into thinking they are official U.S. government websites.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is designed for those seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. On September 8, 2010, a fee of $14.00 was introduced for Visa Waiver Program Travelers registering under ESTA. The fee includes $10.00, collected pursuant to the Travel Promotion Act (TPA) and a fee of $4.00 for administering ESTA. Please note that there is only one official ESTA website and that is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Third-party companies who are charging a fee to assist travelers in registering under ESTA are NOT operating on behalf of the U.S. government.
Visa Waiver Program travelers who are looking for information on how to apply for ESTA should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites that charge a fee to provide information about ESTA and to submit ESTA applications on behalf of the VWP traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the U.S. Government. These websites are designed to appear legitimate, and though deceptive, they operate legally. U.S. Government Web sites can be identified by “.gov.”
For more information regarding the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at: www.cbp.gov/esta
If you have used one of these third party sites, we strongly suggest you use your reference number to confirm the application with the official U.S. Government site (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta) to ensure that your application information is correct in the system, and to avoid delays when you arrive in the United States.
CBP cannot refund the money paid to a third party website, nor can a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. However, if you think you have been victimized, you can contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charges on your statement. Please be aware that if the $14.00 charge submitted to the U.S. government is refunded, the ESTA approval will automatically be denied and future applications may also be denied.
Unfortunately, U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not able to provide details about ESTA denials or resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial. If an ESTA clearance was not granted, a U.S. Visa is required to travel to the United States. Additionally, an ESTA refusal does not necessarily qualify you for an emergency appointment at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

However, if you think you have been victimized, you can contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charges on your statement. Please be aware that if the $14.00 charge submitted to the U.S. government is refunded, the ESTA approval will automatically be denied and future applications may also be denied.

Good advice.

I wasn't previously aware of the warning regarding charge-backs on credit cards for these third party sites.

I think someone ran into a similar problem here on AFF recently... and some advised to do a charge-back. Doing so could lead to the refusal of future ESTAs even on the official site. Somewhat of a risk.

 

[Milefest]

I've had no problems with applying for the ESTA, just out of curiosity though, is it possible to get your visa waived at US immigration if you meet eligibility requirements?

 

[RooFlyer]

I've had no problems with applying for the ESTA, just out of curiosity though, is it possible to get your visa waived at US immigration if you meet eligibility requirements?

No. You will not be allowed to check in for the flight (eg in Australia) without a valid US entry document, electronic or otherwise.

 

[moa999]

Sorry you got caught OP.

Admittedly when I search google now for "ESTA" I get.
The proper site first
Canberra US embassy govt warning about scams
A scam site

The Sponsored Ads are full of scam sites

which is better than previous...

still not exactly Google living up to its "Don't be Evil" mantra

 

[Sdtravel]

Had a family member use a scam website a few months ago.
We called the bank got the transaction halted, card cancelled and reissued.

Then purchased a real one from cbp.

 

[Pushka]

Where Visas or exemption paperwork is required for entry into any country, it is the responsibility of the airline/ship/train taking you there to ensure your paperwork is correct on embarkation.

The real site is obvious once you find it. I never use the first couple of advertising sites.

 

[sausagefingers]

Did the same thing while applying for 4 ESTAs last month, got to the payment page and was greeted with $330 for the lot.
I knew what had happened and closed it out and then found the correct site.
Didn't cost me money, but it did cost me time.

Escape Travel tried to charge me $200 for 4 back in 2013 when we were traveling to the US for the first time. which I was onto back then as well.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm not endorsing any of the non .gov sites - but it's not like those sites are not providing a service or they're phishing for your information. In fact the ones I've looked at all contain disclaimers they're not affiliated with US government.

You enter your details and pay.
From there - they enter your details into the real site and pay.

If you charge back the transaction because you think you've somehow been scammed......there are some potential issues for you as a cardholder.
- Did you contact the merchant prior to disputing the transaction? If not - you're in breach of your cardholder agreement.
- You received the service you paid for - If disputed, it could be argued that YOU are the one committing fraud.

Again I understand the frustration, but I see no grounds to dispute a transaction if they are providing a service.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Did the same thing while applying for 4 ESTAs last month, got to the payment page and was greeted with $330 for the lot.

I knew what had happened and closed it out and then found the correct site. Didn't cost me money, but it did cost me time.

Escape Travel tried to charge me $200 for 4 back in 2013 when we were traveling to the US for the first time. which I was onto back then as well.

Escape Travel/FC would be using the official CBP site and only paying US $14.00 pp for the ESTA. The difference between that amount and the AUD50.00 pp they were charging you is their own fee for processing your application.

I'm not endorsing any of the non .gov sites - but it's not like those sites are not providing a service or they're phishing for your information. In fact the ones I've looked at all contain disclaimers they're not affiliated with US government.

You enter your details and pay.
From there - they enter your details into the real site and pay.

Exactly - it's no different to paying a TA except you do all the form filling instead of them.

 

[Foreigner]

Received expiration warning by email from [email protected]. Authorisation expires in 30 days.

 

[NZflygirl]

Air NZ has a direct link to the proper website which I used so I think it was only by luck I didn't end up on one of these other 3rd party sites. Thanks for posting the info though.

 

[trooper]

Im curious... given that these other websites seem to actually follow through on your application...albeit at significant cost...

Just how is it "Fraud"?
A rip off by comparison with the official site sure.....but noone forces you to use them!!

I too recently got the expiration warning.... much appreciated as I fly out in a month and hadnt given it a thought...

 

[Cynicor]

Im curious... given that these other websites seem to actually follow through on your application...albeit at significant cost...

Just how is it "Fraud"?
A rip off by comparison with the official site sure.....but noone forces you to use them!!

I too recently got the expiration warning.... much appreciated as I fly out in a month and hadnt given it a thought...

Most of them are not fraud, and are explicit in what they do (albeit via fine print).

The risk is that a fraudulent site may use your details for nefarious purposes; I.e being run by mafia X and commuting ID fraud.

 

[BriarFlyer]

My very first trip to the US I booked through Flight Centre and their salesperson (let's not even call her a travel agent, given the route she booked for me!!!) gave me a link to one of these third-party sites to get my ESTA. I knew no better. Still sticks in my craw that they promoted this rip-off; I guess they got a kickback.

 

[akashra]

With the ESTA and Visas and general, what do you need to provide on entry to the US? Were they supposed to have sent you something more official in the mail, or is a print-out you've done yourself sufficient? I haven't received anything in the mail, so I'm guessing the latter is sufficient? Having never been overseas before and only recently received my passport I'm not really to know.

 

[russ]

I've never received anything in the mail. I just bring a printout and a PDF on my iPhone. I've never been asked for either, and I travel to the USA 3 times per annum

 

[serfty]

Once in the early days with AirNZ check-in at AKL, I was asked to show my ESTA. I had a printout (as I have since it began).

That is the one and only time. It's all done with data matching and the only timethere would be an issue is if you have you information incrroect (suchas the wrong PP number).

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have been asked by JQ in BNE for the printout and also by AA in ANU, the latter possibly because they don't see a lot if Aussie passports there. A lot of travellers from the Caribbean & South America need hard visas in their passports as they aren't eligible for ESTA's.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Thanks for the heads up OP. I'll be needing an ESTA for a trip later this year.