How To Avoid US Embassy Authentication Scams

You must provide delicate personal data on passport applications, such as your Social Security number and citizenship paperwork. Anyone who has this information has all the tools necessary to commit identity theft. 

They could use it to obtain loans, empty your bank accounts, steal your tax refund, start new credit accounts in your name, or use your health insurance. Your information might potentially be sold by identity thieves to other criminals on the dark web. As per the US embassy apostille, scammers are often cunning. Here are some suggestions for avoiding passport fraud.


A passport agency or center never charges for appointment booking:

Appointment scheduling is free of charge, and the State Department does not cooperate with outside booking services. Any outsider trying to make an appointment for you is probably a ruse.

No fee is required to fill out passport forms:

These services are provided by some businesses for a fee, but they are not associated with the State Department. Forms are available for free download on the State Department website.

 

Avoid the online application process for a passport:

You cannot apply for or renew a passport online, though you can download forms to complete offline. Applications for passports must be printed, signed, and delivered to the State Department together with the original paperwork.

 

Don’t pay attention to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming to come from a government agency: 

Sophisticated spoofing and phishing scams are used to fool you into disclosing personal information. Governmental organizations will write to you instead of calling, texting, or emailing you.

 
Avoid paying passport fees with Bitcoin or wire transfers and providing banking or financial information:

These payment methods are not accepted by the State Department. Any organization asking for Bitcoin or wire payments is probably a scam. This information is not needed for your passport application or renewal; anyone who requests it is trying to contact you.

 

Avoid using couriers or passport expeditor services.

The State Department has granted permission to a few private courier services or passport expeditors to submit passport applications on behalf of clients. However, there are also a lot of unlicensed fraud businesses. Even reputable expeditors cannot obtain your passport more quickly than if you applied in person at a passport office or center. Even if you employ a courier service, there may be situations when you need to show up in person. These services cost you extra money at best and scams at worst.

 

Final words

After reading the above-written points, hope you understand how you can protect yourself from passport scams. Moreover, if you have any queries regarding passport scams or Embassy Legalization, you can ask us in the comment section; we will surely answer your questions. 

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