BBB issues warning against fake passport sites ahead of summer travel
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Better Business Bureau is asking consumers to use extra caution when renewing passports.
According to the BBB, fake renewal websites are going to great lengths to trick individuals into thinking they're on official government pages.
U.S. citizens can renew their passports online with the U.S. Department of State—if you meet the requirements. (If you don't meet the requirements, you can still renew your passport by mail). The government doesn't charge a fee to fill out the form.
The form is available as a free download. You only pay for the passport renewal itself.
Below, are some tips from the BBB to protect passport applicants:
Do your research. Before renewing your passport, look up the most recent information on the renewal process. Start by checking with the U.S. government. Remember that you should not have to pay a fee to fill out the required forms for a passport renewal – you'll only need to provide payment for the renewal itself. You can check the costs of passport fees in advance.
Give yourself plenty of time when renewing your passport. Processing times for passport renewals can change often. In addition to the indicated processing times, you should also consider the time it takes for your passport to arrive at the passport agency and then be mailed back to your home address. Check state.gov to see current processing times and plan ahead. Giving yourself plenty of time may reduce your likelihood of searching for quicker options, some of which could be scams. You can expedite your passport renewal with the U.S. government for an extra fee, but it may still take several weeks.
Confirm the website's URL before providing sensitive information. It can be easy to click on an impostor website without noticing. Sometimes, the sponsored ads at the top of your search results can lead to these fake sites. Don't always click on the first website you see. Remember, government websites end in .gov. Always take a closer look to be sure you're visiting the correct URL. Scammers can trick you into thinking URLs look legitimate when they aren't. Before typing in sensitive information, check that the website and link are secure. Learn more about identifying fake websites.
Be wary of third-party websites. There are legitimate passport assistance services, but check with BBB.org and BBB Scam Tracker first to ensure you aren't sharing your personal or financial information with a scammer.
BBB offers more about ways to find secure websites and the importance of HTTPS and they offer tips on how to spot the red flags of common scams.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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