BEWARE This TSA PreCheck Scam Before You Travel

Raise your hand if you’re slightly obsessed with using TSA PreCheck when you travel. 🙋‍♀️

©AP

And, while TSA PreCheck certainly isn’t a secret travel hack anymore, it’s still more popular than ever. We use PreCheck every time we have to travel through the airport, and it often saves us time (and headaches!). But, if you’re thinking about joining the TSA PreCheck club, you need to be aware of this SCAM!

We like to think of TSA PreCheck as the Lightning Lane of the airport — it’s a paid service that lets you skip the regular TSA screening line along with other benefits. More than 20 million Americans are enrolled in the program that streamlines their security checks, according to SF Gate.

But, prospective TSA PreCheck travelers have been victimized by an enrollment scam in recent years.

Orlando Sanford Airport

People have been providing their information and payments to third-party manipulators that will submit their applications — which is a problem, because it’s completely unnecessary. Not only that, but victims often have zero recourse to get their money back.

One traveler wrote, “There was a very convincing top ad on Google that scammed out of $150… I called my credit card company, but I don’t know how to dispute it as I did pay it.”

©Orlando International Airport

So, if you’re considering enrolling in TSA PreCheck, make sure you keep an eye out for these red flags:

TSA only works with three accredited providers for enrollment: Clean, Idemia, and Telos. If you’re on a different website than these three, it’s a scam.
The cost to enroll in TSA PreCheck is under $100 for all three providers, so if you’re being charged more than that, it’s a scam.
TSA PreCheck does not request payment upfront unless it’s from first-time enrollees when visiting an enrollment center.

Orlando International Airport can get very busy

TSA is warning travelers ahead of enrollment that these scams can be very convincing. Lorie Dankers, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, said:

“We may be coming in a little bit too late because we have to be made aware of it. So part of our effort is to educate people that it is not necessary to use a third party and, in fact, to do so could be risky.”

Orlando Sanford International Airport via AllEars.net

The TSA can’t recoup funds for anyone who falls victim to these scams, but there is always the option to do a chargeback on your credit card, if you paid with one. Consumers can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission to investigate.

Make sure you double-check the website you’re on so you don’t fall victim to this TSA PreCheck scam!

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for the latest travel news that could impact your next vacation. Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more updates you might need to know about!