BBB warning of new passport renewal scams
By: Tamia Fowlkes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA Today Network - Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE - A new scam targeting international travelers is encouraging Americans to complete their passport and visa applications through a fraudulent site.
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Wisconsin resident Anthony Braun, 39, was preparing to go on vacation with his wife when he realized that his passport's expiration dater was just six months away.
..... Braun decided to do a quick Google search for "passport renewal," and the top option was USPassportandVisa.org. The fraudulent website falsely claims to assist users to their international travel process, including passport and visa renewal.
..... Braun was charged $66, but no passport renewal ever came, Instead, a popup message from the website instructed him to download the free passport renewal form from the U.S. Department of state website and take it to a U.S. Postal Service office to submit and pay.
..... The scam website, which launched in Janaya, [2025] has successfully collected thousands of dollars form unwitting customers, according to the Better Business Bureau.
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The BBB Scam Tracker has recorded more than 80 reports of fraudulent activity on the website, including the collection of Social Security numbers. bank information and passport numbers.
..... When Braun contacted the company, a spokespeople said the organization never claimed to partake in the passport or visa renewal process but did offer resources to help consumer complete the application.
..... "I should have checked that first and I didn't, sublease the website looked so good," Braun said.
..... The BBB said it frequently hears from consumers who click on one of the first websites to pop up after a search - and get fooled.
..... "Scammers can pay to have their fake websites appear as sponsored ads at the top of search engine results, mimicking the look and feel of legitimate businesses," said Lisa Schiller, the media relations at BBB Wisconsin.
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You can apply for a passport through the U.S. State Department website or by mail. Passport application can also be completed at U.S. Postal service offices.
..... There are no businesses that can offer expedited passport delivery. According to the Better Busies Bureau and State Department, passport renewals can vary in processing times.
..... Busy travel periods like summer and the holidays often prompt delays in passport delivery. consumers should keep this in mind when planning to renew or acquire their first passport.
..... The website that appears on Google are not alway safe to use. To renew a passport, all applications and information can be found at
travel.stat.gov .
...... The BBB recommends being cautious of websites that have pop-up ads or excessively long URLs that mimic government sites.
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Before entering your persona information, headache the website or business on BBB Scam Tracker to see if any consumers have complained about the platform.
..... "If you identify a scam. report it promptly to your bank, credit card company, cola and federal government agencies and the BBB.