esta scams i've been scammed

Discussion in 'Living Room' started by justine77, 25th Sep, 2019.

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  1. justine77

    justine77 Well-Known Member

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    I Need to go to usa for a wedding. I did an esta application only to be told after i should have paid $14us not $ 94us

    then someone tol dme its a scam and they told me of correct site.

    so i've been scamed of $140 or so thats ok
    but what about identity theft if they have all my details name address ph no dob passport number maiden name etc etc ?

    I googled esta scams and they are well known but unsur eif its just the cash that we are scammed out of or also identity.
     
  2. shorty

    shorty Well-Known Member

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    Based on the details you have provided you have definitely possibly been scamned and/or have applied for an actual ESTA through a travel agent.

    Is the other $70 for your alter ego?
     
  3. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Unfortunately, your details can be sold for large sums of money to criminal organisations etc.

    The Y-man

    Travelling to the USA?

    SCAMwatch warns that these third-party websites can also place you at risk of having your identity stolen because they ask for personal details and your passport details.

    If you have provided passport details via a third-party website, you should email [email protected] for advice.
     
    Perthguy likes this.
  4. Lindsay_W

    Lindsay_W Well-Known Member

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    Did you actually get something for your money or do you now have to apply again? If you got what you paid for I don't think you were 'scammed' you just over-paid a third party to do something for you you could've done yourself for cheaper.
     
    craigc, TMNT and Marg4000 like this.
  5. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    Our travel agent always sends us the correct links for the ETA and ESTA.

    I have heard that the ESTAs now take 72 hours. Wait 3-4 days and check to see if you have been approved. There are many sites that aren’t scammers but do charge extra.
     
    Lindsay_W likes this.
  6. Empire

    Empire Well-Known Member

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    What website did you use?
     
  7. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    We got scammed too .... damn it
     
  8. Trainee

    Trainee Well-Known Member

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    who sent you the scam website? The first page of results of a google search seems to show legit government websites.
     
  9. justine77

    justine77 Well-Known Member

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    I googled
    Yes overpaid for ESTA
    On google that itself is called a scam if u google ESTA scams
    Hopefully over pay is the only issue
    I asked for the overpaid amount to be refunded and after a few emails they said they d refund the overpaid amount
    I guess I’ll find out if that’s true
     
  10. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Did you pay by credit card in the first place? Most credit cards can cancel the payment for dodgy products/services.

    Whatever you do, do not provide a bank account number (unless it has nothing in it and never gets used) to refund the money back into.

    The Y-man
     
  11. justine77

    justine77 Well-Known Member

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    Ok thank you for that advice
    the credit card company said they cannot dispute or get money back for overpayment if i received the goods
    this esta company said i should see the money back in my account so that must be visa s thats all they have by 5 days.
    so i will see if thats the case.
    they told me first they would refund $25 or half the amount but i kept saying that i can post on facebooks warninga bout them overcharging for a $us14 esta paper and that i want the full $us74 refund
     
  12. Trainee

    Trainee Well-Known Member

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    So did you get a visa or not? If you got a visa, they just charged a high fee. And you agreed to it. Buying something and then seeing it cheaper somewhere else doesnt make it a scam.

    Your first step should always be the embassy website.
     
    craigc likes this.