$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake passport renewal website scam
Third-party websites charge inflated fees to submit passport renewal applications, often delivering no service or submitting incomplete paperwork.
“government website scam”
↑ 125.4%Key indicators
Usually targetsCitizens
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create websites that look like official passport services and appear in paid search results.
2
They charge fees of 100 to 500 USD on top of official costs for forms that applicants can submit directly for free.
3
Some sites collect personal information and passport photos, creating identity theft risk, without ever processing the application.
What to do first
Apply for passport services only through your government's official website — travel.state.gov in the US.
Related terms
bogus passport servicefake passport expediting sitepassport renewal fraudFake government website scamsWebsiteSurgingCitizensTravelersTech workers and developersTravelersOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadabogus passport servicefake passport expediting site
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Michael, 35, a citizens, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate fake government website scams situation while using Website. Scammers create websites that look like official passport services and appear in paid search results.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They charge fees of 100 to 500 USD on top of official costs for forms that applicants can submit directly for free.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some sites collect personal information and passport photos, creating identity theft risk, without ever processing the application.
The outcome
Michael realized something was wrong when the website charges a processing fee on top of the official government passport fee. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Apply for passport services only through your government's official website — travel.state.gov in the US. Michael's experience shows why the website charges a processing fee on top of the official government passport fee and the url is not travel.state.gov (us), gov.uk (uk), or canada.ca are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The website charges a processing fee on top of the official government passport fee
- The URL is not travel.state.gov (US), gov.uk (UK), or canada.ca
- They guarantee faster processing times than the official government service
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Apply for passport services only through your government's official website — travel.state.gov in the US.
- ✓Use only State Department-authorized passport acceptance facilities for in-person services.
- ✓Report fake passport websites to the FTC and your state attorney general.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FTC has warned consumers about third-party websites impersonating government passport services, noting they charge unnecessary fees for freely available forms.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Apply for passport services only through your government's official website — travel.state.gov in the US.
- ✓Use only State Department-authorized passport acceptance facilities for in-person services.
- ✓Report fake passport websites to the FTC and your state attorney general.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FTC has warned consumers about third-party websites impersonating government passport services, noting they charge unnecessary fees for freely available forms.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Citizens, Travelers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Website — Fake government website scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Citizens are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FTC has warned consumers about third-party websites impersonating government passport services, noting they charge unnecessary fees for freely available forms.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake passport renewal website scam
How does the fake passport renewal website scam work?+
Scammers create websites that look like official passport services and appear in paid search results. They charge fees of 100 to 500 USD on top of official costs for forms that applicants can submit directly for free. Some sites collect personal information and passport photos, creating identity theft risk, without ever processing the application.
What are the warning signs of fake passport renewal website scam?+
The website charges a processing fee on top of the official government passport fee The URL is not travel.state.gov (US), gov.uk (UK), or canada.ca They guarantee faster processing times than the official government service
What should I do if I encounter fake passport renewal website scam?+
Apply for passport services only through your government's official website — travel.state.gov in the US. Use only State Department-authorized passport acceptance facilities for in-person services. Report fake passport websites to the FTC and your state attorney general.
Who is most at risk for fake passport renewal website scam?+
This scam primarily targets Citizens, Travelers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Website.
Is fake passport renewal website scam getting worse?+
fake passport renewal website scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.