I'm so so so stupid :-(

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

I've just applied for ESTAs for my whole family. The first address that came up on Google was www.esta.us - I applied for 4 Estas and have been charged $88 each. I had absolutely no clue that you could be scammed in this way or that the official site only charges $14. That extra money would have gone a long way to paying for our theme park tickets. The bank wouldn't cancel the payment even though it had just been made and was still pending. I've tried contacting the company and asking for a refund but they cannot be contacted by phone so will probably not even read my email until it has all gone through. So gutted, such a lot of money.

 

[jackieleanne]

You aren't stupid it can happen to so many people, it happened to my mum and dad before as well. Sadly these sites aren't shut down when they all should be in my opinion. So sorry that it happened to you.

 

[Ensusieasm]

What are ESTAs?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I've just applied for ESTAs for my whole family. The first address that came up on Google was www.esta.us - I applied for 4 Estas and have been charged $88 each. I had absolutely no clue that you could be scammed in this way or that the official site only charges $14. That extra money would have gone a long way to paying for our theme park tickets. The bank wouldn't cancel the payment even though it had just been made and was still pending. I've tried contacting the company and asking for a refund but they cannot be contacted by phone so will probably not even read my email until it has all gone through. So gutted, such a lot of money.

I'm so sorry to hear what happened

It can happen to anyone that is for sure.

I don't know how you searched it and I do know that searching results can greatly depend on the country you are in but when I google "ESTA" this is the first result that comes up:



Something to keep in mind for the future is the '.gov' is an important identifier. Also it has DHS (Department of Homeland Security) in the website name too.

The website you clicked on does not have '.gov'. At the very bottom of the page in tiny print (so I'm sure they are hoping you don't see it) the website you click on has the following information:

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You aren't stupid it can happen to so many people, it happened to my mum and dad before as well. Sadly these sites aren't shut down when they all should be in my opinion. So sorry that it happened to you.

You know I've wondered if they have the authority to shut down or if there is anything inheritantly wrong with the other sites at least according to the U.S. government.

I went to the official website and they have the following information:


So it sounds like they are well aware of third parties. I can totally understand how these other websites can confuse people.

 

[wilma-bride]

What are ESTAs?

ESTAs are the authorisation to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme. Everybody must apply for, and be granted, and ESTA before they travel to the United States. The only exception is if you don't qualify to travel under the Visa Waiver Programme and need to apply for a full visa.

There is a pinned post on how to apply, please ensure you only use the official site.

OP, I am sorry this happened to you. I wish they would shut these sites down as I read so often about people getting ripped off.

 

[pickers1982]

try not to beat yourself up about it as yoi cant change it now.

if it makes you feel any better at least you werent the guy who accidentally put his baby down as a terrorist and had to take him to the embassay to be interviewed!

 

[Tash87]

Oh no, that's annoying!

My husband paid for vehicle tax online ( in UK ) on the wrong website once and got charged over the odds. I don't understand how they get away with it?!