Beware of this costly TSA PreCheck application scam

The Transportation Security Administration's mission is to "protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce," but it has also taken up the mantle of protecting TSA PreCheck applicants from scams that can be costly and frustrating, and potentially put your identity and credit card information at risk.

A string of websites posing as official TSA PreCheck application processing providers are claiming to assist in checking your application for accuracy and finding an in-person appointment to complete your application. These scammers charge up to $100 on top of the TSA PreCheck application fee, which costs between $78 and $85, depending on which provider you use.

Related: Is TSA PreCheck worth it?

Not only do these dubious sites charge applicants unnecessary fees, but also there's no guarantee your data is safe or that they will actually pass your application through to the official channels. On top of that, the assistance they promise is already built into the application process.

In speaking with TSA Traveler Populations branch manager Anne Walbridge to learn more about why these sites are so dangerous and how you can ensure you are applying through official channels, TPG learned that the TSA has contracts with two private companies that conduct TSA PreCheck enrollments: Telos and Idemia; you can reach both through the TSA's website.

"One of the easiest ways to know if you are applying through one of our authorized enrollment providers is to see if the website ends in '.gov,'" Walbridge advised. "Another easy way to know is that if you are enrolling for the first time and you are asked to enter your payment information online, that is definitely not an authorized enrollment provider."

When you apply for TSA PreCheck through official channels, you will pay when you visit an in-person enrollment center to complete the registration process. Once you complete the in-person enrollment process, the authorized provider will also match the information on your identification documentation (passport, driver's license, etc.) to your application information. If there are any mistakes or errors, the authorized provider can assist you in correcting your application.

Related: Which airports and airlines use TSA PreCheck?

"Our enrollment providers also have customer service capabilities," Walbridge said. "If there is an error on your application, you can contact the enrollment provider you used to resolve any discrepancies."

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As for finding an enrollment center, know that you should have plenty of options.

"The TSA PreCheck application program has over 600 enrollment centers and the majority have availability within two weeks," Walbridge said. "The online portion of the process walks you through finding an enrollment center near you, scheduling an appointment and ensuring you bring the correct documents with you."

Scam sites promise to help you schedule the in-person appointment necessary to complete your TSA PreCheck enrollment, but it's something you can easily do on your own. Most enrollment centers even allow walk-ins, though scheduling an appointment is preferred.

If you apply through an unauthorized site, there is no guarantee your personal information is being handled securely.

"Our authorized providers must meet the TSA's requirements regarding using secure application data," Walbridge said. "If you enroll via an authorized enrollment provider, your secure data will only be used for the TSA PreCheck application. If you enroll through an unauthorized site, there is no guarantee they are storing your information properly."

Related: What to do if a boarding pass isn't marked TSA PreCheck

"We basically make sure you are bringing the right documents to the right place at the right time," Walbridge said. "There is absolutely no reason to use one of these unauthorized sites."

These sites look so legitimate that it's easy to see why people believe them to be real. TPG reader Matt Kelly only realized the site he had used to apply for TSA PreCheck was fraudulent when he realized it had never prompted him to schedule an in-person appointment, even after he paid them $85.

"After that, I researched the site and realized it was a scam," Kelly said. "I was able to dispute the charge through my credit card company and the customer service agent even told me she had helped other people who had been scammed this way."

Walbridge shared that there are two common ways applicants realize they have been scammed.

"The first is when people inquire as to the status of their application and realize the site didn't even pass along their information to an authorized provider," she explained. "We also see individuals who arrive to an in-person enrollment center and realize they have to pay an additional fee."

The TSA takes legal action against these sites when possible and works with Google to remove them from search results, but education is the best weapon against these scam sites.

If you do fall victim to one of these unauthorized sites, Walbridge recommends you contact your financial institution to inform them of the fraudulent charge.

"We also recommend people contact their local police department and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission so that the appropriate authorities are aware of these entities," she said.

Falling victim to scams is easy, but, luckily, applying for TSA PreCheck through an authorized provider is even easier.

"If people can take away one thing, it should be to start their TSA PreCheck enrollment through tsa.gov/precheck. From there, you can find information and application links from our authorized enrollment providers," Walbridge said.

Related reading:

• Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
• Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
• Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is more beneficial?
• Which airports and airlines use TSA PreCheck?