Fake Global Entry & TSA PreCheck Scams
Third-party sites charging unnecessary fees to apply for trusted traveller programmes enrollable only through the official government Trusted Traveler Programs portal.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Fake Global Entry and TSA PreCheck scams are websites and services that charge travellers fees to apply for US Customs and Border Protection's trusted traveller programmes — including Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, and SENTRI — when these programmes must be applied for directly through the official government Trusted Traveler Programs portal. There is no authorised third-party service that can submit these applications on a traveller's behalf, and no intermediary fee is ever required or valid.
Global Entry allows pre-approved low-risk travellers to clear US customs quickly on arrival via dedicated kiosks rather than standard passport control queues. TSA PreCheck provides expedited security screening at US airports. Both programmes require applicants to submit biographical information, pay the government fee directly to CBP, complete an online application on the official platform, and attend an in-person interview. None of these steps can be legitimately handled by a third party.
Fake services in this space present themselves as application assistance portals, as official-looking government-style sites, or as concierge services that make the process easier. They may collect the government application fee on behalf of the applicant — but fail to pass it on — or charge a separate service fee on top of the government fee without providing any real assistance. At the most harmful end, these services collect applicants' full biographical data, passport information, and payment details while submitting nothing.
The harm is twofold: financial loss from the fees charged, and identity exposure from the personal data provided. Because Global Entry and TSA PreCheck applications require detailed biographical and travel history information, the data collected by fraudulent intermediaries is particularly sensitive and can be used for identity fraud long after the original payment loss has been resolved.
How it works
Fake trusted traveller programme sites are predominantly discovered through paid search ads. When a traveller types 'Global Entry application', 'TSA PreCheck enroll', or similar queries, sponsored results may appear above the official CBP portal at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. These ads use language such as 'official application assistance', 'fast-track enrollment', or 'simplified application process' that implies either official status or a unique ability to speed up processing.
The site presents a form that mirrors the official application process, collecting the applicant's full name, date of birth, nationality, passport details, travel history, address history, and employment information. A fee is presented — sometimes described as the 'government fee' and sometimes as a 'service fee plus government fee' — and payment is collected by card.
After payment, one of three outcomes occurs. The service does nothing: the applicant receives a confirmation email but no application is ever submitted to CBP. The service submits the application on the applicant's behalf — which CBP's systems may reject or flag, as applications should come from the individual — without the applicant's biographical data being handled securely. Or the service keeps the payment and data, having no intention of submitting anything.
Regardless of outcome, the applicant must eventually apply directly through the official CBP portal to obtain their trusted traveller status. The money paid to the fake service is not recoverable from the government fee side, and the applicant's sensitive data remains with an unknown third party.
Why this scam works
The official CBP application portal is functional and straightforward, but government websites are widely perceived as complex and intimidating, particularly by applicants unfamiliar with US immigration systems. A site that offers to 'simplify the process' or 'handle the application' appeals to this perception.
Search ads create a credibility shortcut. Appearing at the top of search results for a government programme term implies a degree of relevance or authority that travellers naturally — and incorrectly — attribute to government endorsement. The fee structure that includes a 'government fee' component makes the total feel like an official transaction.
For international travellers applying from outside the US, the application process may genuinely feel more complex due to country-specific eligibility requirements and the requirement to attend a US interview or enrollment centre. This additional uncertainty makes assistance services seem more valuable and reduces scrutiny of whether the service is authorised.
A typical pattern
A traveller searching for information about enrolling in Global Entry clicks a sponsored search result that takes them to a site with an official-looking design. The site guides them through an application form collecting personal and travel history details, and presents a total fee described as covering both the government application fee and a processing charge. The traveller pays by card. Weeks later, having received no communication from CBP about an interview, the traveller checks the official portal and finds no application in their name. The third-party service's customer support is unresponsive.
Common red flags
- URL is not ttp.cbp.dhs.gov or tsa.gov — these are the only legitimate government portals
- Fee includes a 'service charge' on top of the official government application fee
- Site does not clearly state that the application must ultimately be completed through the official CBP portal
- Application collects passport scans and biographical data before any fee or terms are displayed
- Claims to offer 'faster processing' or 'guaranteed approval' — no third party controls CBP processing times
- Site discovered via a search ad rather than direct navigation to the official government domain
- No clear statement of the company's legal relationship to the US government or CBP
- Customer service contact is only an email address with no phone number or physical address
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Global Entry application — simplified. We handle your application and submit to CBP. Government fee [amount] + service charge [amount].
Enroll in TSA PreCheck today. Fast, easy, official. Our service prepares and submits your complete application: [fake link]
Skip airport security queues. Global Entry enrollment assistance — we do the paperwork. Apply at [fake link]
Global Entry fast-track: submit your details now and we will prioritise your application with CBP. Limited slots: [fake link]
TSA PreCheck enrolment service. Avoid the complexity of government forms. Full assistance from [amount]. Apply: [fake link]
Common variations
- Pure form-filling sites charging service fees for submitting an unchanged official application
- Sites that collect payment and data but submit nothing to CBP
- Services claiming to offer 'guaranteed' or 'fast-track' approval which no third party can deliver
- Similar scam services targeting NEXUS, SENTRI, and other CBP trusted traveller programmes
- Comparable scams targeting non-US trusted traveller equivalents such as UK Registered Traveller or other national programmes
- Fraudulent interview booking services charging fees to book a CBP enrollment centre appointment (a free process)
How to verify before you act
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, SENTRI, and all other CBP Trusted Traveler Programs are applied for exclusively through the official Trusted Traveler Programs website at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. This is the only legitimate starting point for applications. The government application fee is paid directly to CBP through this portal. No third party is authorised to collect this fee or to submit an application on a traveller's behalf.
Before engaging any service that presents itself as a Global Entry or PreCheck application portal, check whether the URL is ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. If it is not, it is not the official portal. Do not pay any fee to a site that is not this government domain.
For TSA PreCheck specifically, the TSA's official page at tsa.gov/precheck lists the enrolment providers — including authorized fingerprinting enrolment service providers — through which PreCheck enrolment can be completed. These listed providers are the only authorised parties involved in the process.
Payment methods used
- Card
- Bank transfer
Who is usually targeted
- Frequent flyers seeking expedited security screening
- International travellers applying for US entry programmes
- Business travellers unfamiliar with the application process
What to do immediately
- Do not submit further personal data or payment to any non-official portal
- Apply or reapply directly through the official CBP Trusted Traveler Programs portal at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
- If you paid by card, contact your bank about chargeback — the service provided no legitimate value
- Monitor for signs of identity misuse given the sensitive biographical data that may have been shared
- Report the fake service to your national consumer protection authority and to the FTC (in the US) or equivalent
- Consider placing a fraud alert with credit reference agencies if you shared passport and biographical data
How to prevent it
- Bookmark the official CBP portal at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov and navigate directly from that bookmark
- Be aware that the government fee is paid directly to CBP on the official portal — no intermediary collects it legitimately
- Never click search ads for trusted traveller programme applications — navigate directly to the official government URL
- Allow sufficient time to complete the straightforward official application without feeling pressured into 'assisted' services
- If you want guidance, use free resources from CBP's official website or TSA's published information rather than paid third-party services
- Check your credit card statement promptly after any online application to confirm you were charged the expected government fee amount
Evidence to preserve
- The fake site's URL and screenshots of the application flow and fee breakdown
- Payment receipts and card statements
- All confirmation emails received
- A record of what personal and biographical information was submitted
- All correspondence with the fake service
- Evidence of your check on the official portal showing no application was received
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any legitimate third-party service for Global Entry applications?
No. Global Entry and all CBP Trusted Traveler Programs must be applied for directly by the individual through ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. No third party is authorised to submit an application on your behalf or to collect the government fee.
How do I apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck correctly?
Go directly to ttp.cbp.dhs.gov, create an account, complete the application, and pay the government fee directly through that portal. You will then be invited to schedule an in-person interview at a CBP enrollment centre.
What is the official application fee for Global Entry?
The official fee is published on ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Fees are paid directly to CBP through the official portal. Any fee paid to a third-party site is in addition to — and separate from — the government fee and provides no legitimate service.
Can a fake service affect my actual CBP application?
If a fake service submits an application on your behalf, CBP may flag or reject it because applications should be submitted by the individual. You may need to contact CBP directly to clarify your status and reapply through official channels.
What should I do if I shared my passport scan with a fake service?
Monitor for identity misuse, consider a fraud alert with credit reference agencies, and report to your national identity fraud support service. The data shared may include information usable for identity fraud.
Are there authorised TSA PreCheck enrollment providers?
For TSA PreCheck, the TSA lists authorised fingerprint enrollment service providers on tsa.gov/precheck. These are the only authorised parties in the enrolment process beyond the official TSA portal itself. Any other site is not authorised.
How long does the official Global Entry application take?
The online application itself takes under an hour. Processing and interview scheduling times vary and are published on the CBP website. No third-party service can legitimately reduce the official processing time.