I would like to spare anyone else the trouble I’ve gone through with a passport scam.
In an effort to expedite the Real ID driver’s license (DMV isn’t taking appointments until July and I have a trip coming up), I attempted to instead renew my passport online. The search engine of my browser brought up more than a dozen sites, and I picked one that looked legitimate, unfortunately not paying attention to the domain dot.com instead of dot.gov.
My selection site required my photo, my Social Security number and my credit card number, and as I clicked through the pages to complete an application, there were substantial fees to be able to download and print the form (which I did not do.)
I was charged over $200 without finishing “a review” with another list of fees to ultimately total over $500 if I had accepted it. These charges were vastly more than an original passport. After attempting to call the site, which was automated repeatedly to a voicemail option, then emailing three times to cancel on the same day I had started it, they will not refund my money.
I am working with my local bank, who is terrific, but it seems like outright theft to me. I had to cancel my credit card, get another one and then file a dispute which may take a while.
Please be careful with online sites for government documents. My heart goes out to other senior citizens, or anyone attempting to do something from their homes that will save them a few steps.
I think we get exploited horribly. I’m a 76-year-old widow and I thought I was fairly computer savvy, but they got the best of me. I did contact law enforcement and was told they don’t have the manpower to handle cyber crime and it would have to be referred to the FBI, but the very kind deputy told me this involves thousands and thousands of victims every year.
The Lewis County Courthouse was competently staffed, and I was able to get the documents ordered within the next few weeks. Much less money.
Just a “head’s up” to any needing such service.
Deb Jones
Chehalis
