Websites ripping off UK travellers to the US

The US Embassy is urging people to avoid unauthorised websites that ask for a fee to submit an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta).

An Esta is a travel permit introduced in January 2009, that people in the UK wishing to visit the US need to apply for online. Applying for an Esta is currently free; although from 8 September the US will start charging a $14 (£9) administration charge.

But some of the unauthorised sites that Computeractive has found feature prominently in search results, and are charging people around $45 (£29) to submit an Esta application on behalf of the traveller. Others charge $49.50 (£32) for a downloadable PDF ‘guide’ on how to apply for an Esta.

Using these websites also means people are handing over sensitive personal information such as bank, passport and medical details to a company they know nothing about.

US Customs and Border Protection has called these sites “imposter government websites" and “fraudulent enterprises”.

The US Embassy told us: “Travellers should be aware that unauthorised third parties have established websites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States, for information about Esta and for submitting Esta applications to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on behalf of the traveller.

“These businesses and websites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. We recommend that travellers use the official Esta website, or via the US London Embassy website."

Although some people who may not have an internet connection do find it easier to use a third party, such as a travel agent, to submit an Esta, an Embassy representative said there were “no benefits” to using an unauthorised site such as the ones we found.

“Esta is easy to do, and the vast majority of applicants (well over 99 per cent) get a positive response within minutes,” he said.

Users of these sites also run the risk of identity theft because they have handed over personal details. They could also find themselves unable to enter the US as well.

In a statement on its website, US Customs advised people who had used one of these sites to reapply through official channels. It warned: “We have no way of knowing if the information passed through the unauthorised website to us is accurate. If it is not, you may have a problem when you arrive in the US.”