Medium riskGovernment, Tax & Legal Scams

Passport Renewal Scam

This scam uses copycat websites that imitate official passport renewal, visa, or travel authorisation services. They often appear in search results and adverts, look professional, and charge inflated fees for help with an application you could complete yourself. Some collect your card and personal details and never properly submit the application. Reaching the genuine government service directly, rather than through an advert or search link, is the safest way to renew a passport or apply for a visa.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Government service impersonation scam
Main red flag
A passport or visa website charges extra service fees and is not the official government domain, even though it looks official.
What to do first
Leave the site and reach the official government service by typing the known address yourself or searching for the official department by name.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam uses copycat websites that imitate official passport renewal, visa, or travel authorisation services. They often appear in search results and adverts, look professional, and charge inflated fees for help with an application you could complete yourself. Some collect your card and personal details and never properly submit the application. Reaching the genuine government service directly, rather than through an advert or search link, is the safest way to renew a passport or apply for a visa.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: "Official Passport Renewal Portal. Fast-track processing. Renew your passport online today. Service fee applies. Enter your personal details and card information at [unfamiliar link] to begin your application."

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • The website charges a service or processing fee on top of, or instead of, the standard government application fee.
  • The web address is not the official government domain, often using extra words like "online", "portal", or "fast-track".
  • The site promises guaranteed approval, fast-tracking, or priority handling that the official service does not offer.
  • It appears as a paid advert or near the top of search results rather than being the official government page itself.
  • It asks for full personal and card details up front, sometimes before explaining what the fee actually covers.

What to do

  • Reach the official passport or visa service by typing the known government address yourself or searching for the department by its official name.
  • Compare the fee shown against the published official fee, and be cautious of any extra charges for the same service.
  • Check the web address carefully, looking for the genuine government domain rather than a lookalike.
  • Read recent reviews or official warnings about copycat sites if you are unsure whether a service is legitimate.

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you entered card details, contact your bank or card provider to discuss blocking the card and watching for unexpected charges.
  • If you paid an inflated fee, check whether the application was actually submitted through the official service, and apply directly if it was not.
  • Keep records of what you entered and any receipts, in case you need to dispute a charge or report the site.
  • Report the copycat website to the relevant government department or consumer protection body in your country.

What not to do

  • Do not assume a site is official just because it uses government-style branding, colours, or wording.
  • Do not enter card or personal details on a passport site reached through an advert without checking the address first.
  • Do not pay a fast-track or guaranteed-approval fee, as official services do not promise outcomes this way.

Similar scams

High risk Government & Tax

Immigration Scam

This scam involves a caller or message posing as an immigration or border agency that threatens deportation, visa cancellation, or arrest over a supposed problem with your status. The aim is to frighten you into making an immediate payment or handing over passport and personal details.
High risk Text Message

DVLA Text Scam

This scam sends a text posing as the DVLA, claiming your vehicle tax failed, a refund is owed, or your details need updating, then links to a fake page that collects your bank and card details.
High risk Online Shopping

Fake Online Store Scam

This scam sets up a convincing but fake store with very low prices, takes payment, and delivers nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell the official passport site from a copycat?
Official services use the government's own domain and publish standard fees. Copycat sites often add extra wording to the address, charge service fees, and promise fast-tracking. Reaching the service by typing the known address yourself avoids most lookalikes.
Are these sites always illegal?
Some are outright fraudulent, while others are agencies that charge for help with a free or low-cost process without making that clear. Either way, you can usually apply directly and avoid the extra fee.
I paid a fee on one of these sites. Will I still get my passport?
It depends on whether the application reached the official service. Check directly with the genuine department, and if it was not submitted, you may need to apply again and dispute the charge with your bank.
Why do these sites show up so high in search results?
Many appear as paid adverts or are optimised to rank near the top, which is why the first result is not always the official one. It is worth checking the address rather than trusting the position.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.