Travel experts warn Brits to stay vigilant amidst rise of 'fake visa websites'
Mirror Switch and Save has teamed up with Quotezone.co.uk to help you compare travel insurance policies to protect yourself abroad, but experts are warning holidaymakers to stay alert while booking their trips too.
While most destinations are free for Brits, there are some holiday hotspots such as the USA and Canada which require all tourists to apply for a visa in advance. For example in the USA if you want to visit as a tourist you'll need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is currently charged at $21 (approximately £15).
With an increasing number of countries now using online visa systems, scammers have been known to exploit the process. One way is by creating fake websites that charge inflated fees or even steal your personal information.
In fact, it's estimated that UK holidaymakers lost over £11million to travel-related scams last year, with visa-related scams included within that. Scammers use clever tactics such as unofficial websites, spoofing legitimate government portals, and charging inflated fees for fake or unnecessary documents.
Some people don't realise they've been scammed until they arrive at the airport and are denied boarding, or are refused entry on arrival at their destination.
One of the most common scams involves copycat websites designed to look like official government visa portals, but then charge high admin fees, request personal details that are unnecessary, or even submit your real application but charge you more and pocket the difference.
Meanwhile, other fraudsters pose as immigration or embassy officials and pressure victims into clicking malicious links or handing over payment information, with a threat of being denied entry or meeting urgent deadlines. Other scams include tricking holidaymakers into paying a fee for fast-track applications, only to disappear after payment or offer forged documents.
Others will confuse travellers into applying for visas they don't need; for example, Brits don't need a visa for EU countries as they can stay for up to 90 day visa-free in any 180-day period.
Luckily, the experts have shared some simple ways you can protect yourself when applying for online visas - check out their top tips below.
Top tips when applying for a visa
Apply through official government via portals: check the UK Foreign Office's travel advice for your chosen destination as this includes any up-to-date entry requirements and the links through to the official portals you need to use.
Check visa requirements early: Avoid the panic of a last-minute application which could see you fall for an unofficial website in a bid to get documents sorted quickly.
Beware of high fees or urgent pressure: Official visa fees are usually fixed and clearly stated on government websites. If you're asked to pay more or there's pressure to apply urgently, this can be a red flag.
Check the web address: Ensure the website you're using is secure by looking for 'https://' at the start of the URL and a padlock symbol in the browser. Double-check the web address carefully – scammers often create websites with similar names to official portals, but with subtle differences.
Never share sensitive information on email or text: Legitimate authorities and embassies do not request payment details, passport scans or other personal information requests over text or email. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unexpected messages that claim to be official.
Pay with a credit card if possible: If you discover fraud or need to dispute a charge, credit card companies could help you recover your money under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Looking for travel insurance? Mirror Switch and Save has partnered with Quotezone.co.uk to help you compare a wide range of travel insurance quotes, from trusted UK insurance providers.
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