E-Visa Scams
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Got scammed by a visa website? What to do next

Last checked: 19 October 2026 · Guides

Act fast. Call your card issuer or bank, report the payment and ask for a refund 1. Check on the official site whether a real application exists. Then report the site: to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US 1, Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2, Scamwatch in Australia 3 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 4. US credit card disputes must reach the issuer within 60 days of the first bill with the charge 5.
First call
Your card issuer or bank 1
US report
ReportFraud.ftc.gov 1
UK report
Report Fraud, 0300 123 2040, or Police Scotland on 101 2
Australia
Scamwatch, and IDCARE on 1800 595 160 3
Canada
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, 1-888-495-8501 4
US dispute deadline
60 days after the first bill with the error 5

Step 1: call your card issuer or bank

The US Federal Trade Commission says to report a credit card payment to the issuer “immediately”, using the number on the back of the card, and to ask for your money back. For a debit card, contact your bank or credit union the same way 1.

Australia's Scamwatch says to contact your bank or card provider straight away and ask them to stop any transactions 3.

Be ready for push back. In a case recorded by the Hong Kong Consumer Council, a bank sought a chargeback from a copycat eTA site. The site said it had already provided the service and refused to cancel 6.

Step 2: if you paid by US credit card, dispute in writing

Under US federal law you can dispute billing errors, unauthorised charges, and charges for goods or services not delivered as agreed. The FTC says your letter should reach the issuer “within 60 days after the first bill with the error was sent to you” 5.

Write to the billing inquiries address, not the payment address. Include your name, address, account number and a description of the problem. Send copies of receipts, not originals 5.

Step 3: check whether you hold a real authorisation

Many copycat sites pass your details on to the real system. Danish banks said victims often still get a genuine authorisation 7. So check before you apply again.

Check a UK ETA on GOV.UK 8. Check a US ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov 9. Türkiye's embassy in New Delhi says to check an e-visa from a non-official site at www.evisa.gov.tr/en/status/ 10. If nothing is registered, apply on the official site and pay the official fee.

Step 4: protect your details

You gave the site your passport details and card number. Scamwatch says to change passwords for banking, email, government and shopping accounts 3.

In Australia and New Zealand, IDCARE offers free help to plan how to limit the damage. Call 1800 595 160 3. In the US, the FTC points people who gave personal information to IdentityTheft.gov 11.

Step 5: report the site and the loss

  • United States: report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov 1. You can tell your state attorney general too 11.
  • England, Wales and Northern Ireland: report money lost to Report Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. Official UK pages now name Report Fraud for these reports 2,12.
  • Scotland: call Police Scotland on 101 2.
  • UK, any website: report the site to the National Cyber Security Centre, which can investigate and remove scam websites 2.
  • Australia: report to Scamwatch once your accounts are secure 3.
  • Canada: report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or on 1-888-495-8501, and to local police 4.
  • Thailand TDAC sites: Cyber Police Hotline 1441 or the Online Complaint Center 1212 OCC 13.
  • Philippines eTravel sites: the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center 14.
  • Singapore: report fake ICA sites to the police anti-scam helpline 1800 722 6688 15.

Common questions

Will I get my money back from a copycat visa site?

Maybe. Ask your card issuer for a refund 1. Some sites refuse, saying they delivered a service 6.

Is my visa from a third-party site valid?

It may be. Copycat sites often forward details to the real system 7. Check its status on the official site.

Is Action Fraud still the place to report in the UK?

Official UK pages now send fraud reports to Report Fraud, at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 2.

How long do I have to dispute a US credit card charge?

Your letter must reach the issuer within 60 days after the first bill with the error was sent 5.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.

Sources

  1. US Federal Trade Commission: What To Do if You Were Scammed (updated 21 August 2026)
  2. National Cyber Security Centre (UK): Report a scam website (accessed 19 October 2026)
  3. Scamwatch (ACCC, Australia): Website scams (26 March 2026)
  4. Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Report fraud and cybercrime (accessed 19 October 2026)
  5. US Federal Trade Commission: Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges (May 2022)
  6. Consumer Council (Hong Kong): Unofficial Visa Agency Websites Charge Exorbitantly but No Protection for Unsuccessful Applications (17 June 2019)
  7. The Local Denmark: Danish travellers warned to avoid scam US, Canada and UK visa websites (19 June 2025)
  8. GOV.UK: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK (accessed 19 October 2026)
  9. Consulate General of Sweden in Houston: ESTA (accessed 19 October 2026)
  10. Embassy of Türkiye in New Delhi: E-visa of the Republic of Türkiye (1 March 2024)
  11. US Federal Trade Commission: How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam (accessed 19 October 2026)
  12. GOV.UK: Avoid and report internet scams and phishing (accessed 19 October 2026)
  13. Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports: Tourism Ministry warns of fake TDAC websites charging fees (17 October 2025)
  14. Philippine News Agency: eTravel registration free of charge, BI reminds travelers (14 February 2024)
  15. Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (Singapore): Advisory on Fake or Misleading Websites (accessed 19 October 2026)

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