Travellers beware! How fake visa websites are tricking Aussies
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If you're looking to go on a holiday overseas any time soon, you'd be wise to plan ahead and read up on any visa or waiver requirements before your departure.
And while this seems like common sense, not doing research is actually one of the biggest mistakes holidaymakers make, as it leaves them open to frauds, scams, and inaccurate government information.
Claudia Gualdi, Travel Intelligence Data Lead at Riskline, recently revealed the details of the simple mistake that Aussie travellers could commit prior to their departure.
Places like Turkey, Cuba, Chile, and Vietnam all require visas for Aussie travellers. Destinations like the US require an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and a visa waiver.
Meanwhile, Australians will need a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), another visa waiver, to visit Europe next year.
However, fake travel visa and/or visa waiver websites can be found in nearly every country. Even worse, these fraudulent sites can easily imitate the official website—and that’s where it gets tricky.
'If you’re among the unlucky ones who gain a fake E-visa online, you were unaware that your document is fake but could face severe consequences at ports of entry,' Claudia told a news source.
'This includes prosecution, fines, visa denial, and visa revocation for associated visas already granted,’ she said.
More than that, the traveller could be banned by the immigration from boarding their flight.
‘A traveller presenting a fake E-visa at ports of entry in the destination country can be denied entry because of the fraudulent nature of the visa, which will be subject to cancellation and cannot be used for entry,' she added.
‘A fake E-visa is a loss of money for the traveller victim of the scam,’ Claudia explained. ‘Unfortunately, no travel insurance covers this inconvenience, as it is the traveller’s duty to obtain a visa.’
It’s not only money you should be worried about: these fake websites can also acquire your identity credentials, leaving you open to further hacking.
To make sure the visa site you are visiting is legitimate, the best way is to visit the official government website of the country you're travelling to via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The DFAT website provides links to legitimate travel visa or waiver application sites and forms.
You can also visit the Smartraveller website for more info about visa applications. As a rule of thumb, most visa or waiver application sites operated by that country should end in .gov or .go.
Are you, or anyone you know, travelling overseas soon? Let us know in the comments!
And while this seems like common sense, not doing research is actually one of the biggest mistakes holidaymakers make, as it leaves them open to frauds, scams, and inaccurate government information.
Claudia Gualdi, Travel Intelligence Data Lead at Riskline, recently revealed the details of the simple mistake that Aussie travellers could commit prior to their departure.
Places like Turkey, Cuba, Chile, and Vietnam all require visas for Aussie travellers. Destinations like the US require an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and a visa waiver.
Meanwhile, Australians will need a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), another visa waiver, to visit Europe next year.
Aussie travellers need visas and/or visa waivers to visit some countries. Credit: Halfpoint/Shutterstock
However, fake travel visa and/or visa waiver websites can be found in nearly every country. Even worse, these fraudulent sites can easily imitate the official website—and that’s where it gets tricky.
'If you’re among the unlucky ones who gain a fake E-visa online, you were unaware that your document is fake but could face severe consequences at ports of entry,' Claudia told a news source.
'This includes prosecution, fines, visa denial, and visa revocation for associated visas already granted,’ she said.
More than that, the traveller could be banned by the immigration from boarding their flight.
‘A traveller presenting a fake E-visa at ports of entry in the destination country can be denied entry because of the fraudulent nature of the visa, which will be subject to cancellation and cannot be used for entry,' she added.
‘A fake E-visa is a loss of money for the traveller victim of the scam,’ Claudia explained. ‘Unfortunately, no travel insurance covers this inconvenience, as it is the traveller’s duty to obtain a visa.’
It’s not only money you should be worried about: these fake websites can also acquire your identity credentials, leaving you open to further hacking.
To make sure the visa site you are visiting is legitimate, the best way is to visit the official government website of the country you're travelling to via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The DFAT website provides links to legitimate travel visa or waiver application sites and forms.
You can also visit the Smartraveller website for more info about visa applications. As a rule of thumb, most visa or waiver application sites operated by that country should end in .gov or .go.
Are you, or anyone you know, travelling overseas soon? Let us know in the comments!
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