BBB warns air travelers about phony TSA websites

The Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania is warning air travelers about fake websites for expedited travel programs such as TSA Precheck and Global Entry that try to trick people into giving out personal information and steal their money.

The BBB said it wanted to raise awareness about the impostors as more people who get vaccinated against COVID-19 resume making travel plans and renew their memberships in so-called trusted traveler programs.

TSA Precheck allows qualified travelers to get faster security screening, while Global Entry allows pre-approved, lowrisk travelers to receive expedited security clearance when entering the U.S.

According to complaints to the BBB, scammers create websites that mimic official government websites for the travel programs. The sites often charge an application fee and hefty service fee for their “assistance.” They also collect personal information such as payment data, passport number and home address, the agency said.

One woman in Allegheny County recently reported being tricked when applying for TSA Precheck.

After searching online for “TSA Precheck” and clicking on what she thought was the official Transportation Security Administration site, she submitted payment for $140.80.

When she arrived for her appointment and was asked for the actual $85 application fee, she realized she had been scammed.

The BBB offered these tips for protecting yourself:

• Double check the URL.

All U.S. government websites end in .gov. Secure links start with “https://” and include a lock icon on the purchase page.

• Research legitimate terms. TSA Precheck charges $85 for five years that can be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, company check or certified/ cashier’s check. Global Entry charges a $100, one-time fee paid by credit card, debit card or electronic bank transfer. If someone asks for more money or money through a different payment method, it’s a scam.

• Pay with a credit card.

Fraudulent charges on a credit card generally can be disputed.

• Protect your identity.

If you mistakenly provide financial and personal information to the wrong website, notify your credit card company or financial institution and place a fraud alert on your credit reports with the national credit bureaus.

For more advice on dealing with phony websites and travel scams, visit BBB.org. Report scams to the scam tracker on the BBB website, or call 877-267-5222.