Fake Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Scams via Phone
How callers impersonating US Customs and Border Protection or TSA charge fees for Global Entry or PreCheck enrolment assistance that provides no genuine value or service.
Part of: Fake Global Entry & TSA PreCheck Scams
Last reviewed: 9 June 2026
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are legitimate US government trusted traveller programmes with transparent official fee structures. Scammers exploit the administrative complexity of these programmes by positioning phone-based intermediary services as helpers who can navigate the process, expedite approvals, or guarantee enrolment. Victims who pay for this assistance have paid for nothing they could not have obtained directly through official channels at a lower cost.
Some callers go further, impersonating government officials and claiming a fee is needed to renew or reactivate an existing enrolment. Because both programmes have renewal deadlines, this approach targets travellers who know their membership is approaching expiry — a detail sometimes visible in marketing databases.
How this scam works on phone calls
A cold call or response to an online ad presents a service that will handle Global Entry or PreCheck application forms, interview scheduling, and document gathering on the applicant's behalf. A substantial service fee is charged upfront. In some cases, the service does submit an application, but this provides no advantage over self-submission through the official CBP or TSA website. In others, the fee is taken and no application is ever filed.
The impersonation variant involves a caller claiming the applicant's Global Entry membership has expired and requires payment to CBP to reactivate. The payment line is fraudulent, and no reactivation occurs. The genuine CBP and TSA handle all enrolment and renewal through official online portals with no telephone payment component.
Common red flags
- Caller claims to work for CBP or TSA and requests payment to maintain or renew a trusted traveller membership
- Third-party service charges substantially more than the official government application fee
- Caller claims the application can be fast-tracked or that approval is guaranteed
- Payment requested over the phone rather than through the official website portal
- Caller cannot provide a verifiable government employee ID or direct CBP case reference
How to protect yourself
- Apply for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck only through official government websites: ttp.cbp.dhs.gov and tsa.gov
- Official fees are published on these sites — do not pay more than the stated government fee
- Renew memberships directly through your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account
- Government agencies do not call members to request renewal payments by phone
- Report suspected CBP or TSA impersonation to the relevant agency's official contact line
How to report it
- Report government impersonation to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General if CBP or TSA is impersonated
- File a chargeback with your card issuer if fees were paid to a fraudulent caller
Frequently asked questions
Does CBP or TSA ever call members to renew memberships?
No. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck renewals are handled entirely online through official government portals. Neither CBP nor TSA contacts members by phone to request payment. Any call claiming otherwise is fraudulent.
Is there any benefit to using a third-party Global Entry application service?
The official application process is straightforward and designed to be completed by individuals without assistance. A legitimate intermediary provides no advantage that justifies additional fees. Use only the official CBP or TSA websites.