UK ETA Scams: How to Avoid Fake UK ETA Application Websites
In This Article
1. Common ETA Scams and How to Avoid Them
2. Fake ETA Application Websites
3. How to Protect Yourself from Fake ETA Websites
4. Impersonation ETA Scams: Fraudsters Posing as the Home Office
5. How to Recognise and Respond to Government ETA Impersonation Scams
6. Forged Documents and False Promises: Another ETA Scam Risk
7. How to Avoid ETA Scams Involving Fake Documents and Services
8. Essential Tips to Avoid UK ETA Scams When Applying
9. How to Report a Suspected UK ETA Scam
10. Protecting Yourself as UK ETA Scams Increase
11. Contact Our Immigration Barristers
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Glossary
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new pre-entry requirement for non-visa nationals, subject to their status, travelling into the UK for short stays. Although it is not a visa, it functions as a pre-screening process that grants digital permission to travel to the UK. Our article UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Application Guide 2025, provides detailed guidance on the ETA process.
This article outlines common UK ETA scams, how they operate, and practical steps to avoid becoming a victim.
1. Common ETA Scams and How to Avoid Them
Since the Electronic Travel Authorisation is a relatively new process in UK immigration law, there is a prevalence in fraudulent schemes misleading travellers into believing they are applying for genuine travel permission.
2. Fake ETA Application Websites
One type of ETA scam is fake websites posing as the UK governments official website GOV.UK. The sites are often highlighted at the top of search engine results or displayed through deceiving ads, causing unsuspecting travellers to click on them. To make matters worse, these websites may have logos and formats which look deceptively similar to the official website.
3. How to Protect Yourself from Fake ETA Websites
One way to identify if the website is genuine, is by the price they are offering the ETA application for. These fraudulent websites often charge significantly higher fees than the official amount required for these applications. At the time of writing, the fee for an ETA is £16. The UK government does not authorise any external or third-party websites to handle the ETA process. These platforms merely submit your application through the official system on your behalf, while adding extra charges for their services. Oftentimes, they do not complete the application at all and travellers do not receive an actual ETA.
In addition to the high fees, these websites may also take your personal and financial information to sell onto other third party websites, and for various other malicious purposes. This can include identity theft and phishing scams.
To protect yourself from fake ETA application websites, only apply through the official UK government platform at GOV.UK or via the official ETA app. Always check the website URL carefully—legitimate government websites will begin with ‘www.gov.uk/’ or contain ‘homeoffice.gov.uk’. Avoid clicking on sponsored ads or unfamiliar links in search results. For added security, you can cross-check URLs through the official websites of UK embassies, consulates, or other recognised government agencies.
4. Impersonation ETA Scams: Fraudsters Posing as the Home Office
Scammers do not just impersonate websites, but they can also pose as the Home Office or other UK immigration bodies by reaching out to individuals by phone, email, or even text messages. They often obtain contact information from other phishing sites. They may claim that there is an issue with the individual’s visa application, immigration status, or entry clearance, and insist on immediate payment in order for them to rectify the supposed issue.
These impersonators can be quite convincing as they often use official-sounding language, appear to know your information, and can even threaten immigration action such as detention or deportation to ensure compliance. They can also use official-looking phone numbers and email addresses, as well as forging documents to appear legitimate.
5. How to Recognise and Respond to Government ETA Impersonation Scams
No legitimate UK immigration agency would ever contact an individual in this way in order to request payment or personal information. All official communication related to visas or immigration is handled through secure, authorised government channels. Furthermore, payments are only processed through the official UK government website, and would never be taken over the phone. You should only ever make payments on secure UKVI or Home Office platforms. A padlock symbol in the website address bar will indicate that the payment is most likely to be secure.
Furthermore, always ensure that you check the sender or any emails or messages to see if they are from official Home Office contacts. For example, an email from the Home Office would always read as ‘name.surname@homeoffice.gov.uk’. Before sending any information, make sure to verify that the communication is from an official UK government number or email. If you receive a phone call, you can also hang up and call the Home Office directly to ask them if they have called you recently. They will be able to verify if the call was from them.
6. Forged Documents and False Promises: Another ETA Scam Risk
Some individuals or agencies falsely claim they can secure an ETA by submitting forged or falsified documents on behalf of applicants. These documents may include counterfeit certificates or passports.
The Home Office has advanced methods for identifying fraudulent documents. They also have Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to easily verify identity documents including passports, BRPs and driving licences. Using falsified documents, for any visa application, is a serious offence and can put you at risk of a 10-year ban from applying for future UK entry clearance applications. Using deception in any immigration application may lead to a refusal and potential ban.
7. How to Avoid ETA Scams Involving Fake Documents and Services
Always make sure that you only submit genuine and verified documents with any immigration application. If you obtain documents from a third party, you should check if they are real. This can include paying attention to any grammatical or branding errors.
A lot of these services will also most likely ask for a fee, claiming to get expedited decisions and guaranteed approvals. The reality is that no agency or legal professional can ever purport to guarantee a positive outcome of any immigration application. Therefore, you should never take the services of third parties who claim to do so – if it is too good to be true, it most likely is.
8. Essential Tips to Avoid UK ETA Scams When Applying
To avoid ETA related scams:
- Use an official GOV.UK or UKVI platform – The ETA application should only be submitted through the UK government’s official website or app.
- Avoid third-party websites – The UK government does not permit any external agents or companies to process ETA applications.
- Verify the website address – Ensure the site URL starts with “www.gov.uk/” or contains “homeoffice.gov.uk”. A padlock icon in the browser bar indicates a secure connection.
- Never make payments by phone or email – The Home Office will not request payment or personal details via phone calls, texts, or unsolicited emails.
- Check the sender’s contact details – Legitimate Home Office emails end with @homeoffice.gov.uk. If you’re unsure, contact the Home Office directly for confirmation.
- Ignore false promises of guaranteed approvals – No organisation or individual can guarantee ETA approval or fast-track processing. Such claims are deceptive.
9. How to Report a Suspected UK ETA Scam
If you suspect fraudulent activity or have been targeted by a scam, you can report it to Action Fraud. You can do so via the Action Fraud website or, if you are in the UK, by calling 0300 123 2040.
By alerting your friends and family and reporting any scams you’ve experienced to Action Fraud, you can help prevent others from falling victim.
10. Protecting Yourself as UK ETA Scams Increase
As the UK ETA becomes a standard travel requirement, it is important for travellers to stay vigilant against scams. Fraudsters are taking advantage of the new system by creating fake websites, making false promises, and impersonating government officials — often leading to serious financial and personal consequences.
Lastly, the Home Office has recognised the growing prevalence of scams and fraud within UK immigration processes. In response, it has published official guidance outlining the most commonly reported scams and providing advice on how individuals can protect themselves.
11. Contact Our Immigration Barristers
For expert UK immigration advice on the ETA application process, handling refusals, or applying for a UK visa, our specialist immigration barristers in London can assist. Contact us today on +44 (0)203 617 9173 or complete our online enquiry form for personalised guidance on your UK travel plans.
