8

I recently used this website to apply for an ESTA. Having submitted my details I realised that this was not the official ESTA site so I did not pay the 60 euro fee.

However I am concerned that the site was illegitimate and are going to use my information for fraud purposes.

Are they legit?

choster
  • 43,680
  • 7
  • 124
  • 177

2 Answers2

32

No, the only official ESTA form is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. When talking about the US, you should be wary of official-looking sites that don't end in .gov.

As far as I understand it, the business model of those sites is just to rip you off (charging you 60€ instead of ~$15). I wouldn't be tooo concerned about them abusing your information.

phoog
  • 143,317
  • 20
  • 298
  • 485
mrks
  • 762
  • 5
  • 14
3

While this is clearly not the official ESTA website and their business model may be questionable, I believe that this is a legitimate business website and I see no reason to worry that your personal data may be used illegally. If you're concerned that you've given them your consent to process your personal data in a way you wouldn't like, you can write to the e-mail address listed on their privacy policy page and revoke your consent:

Revocation of your consent to data processing

Some data processing procedures are only possible with your express consent. A revocation of your already given consent is possible at any time. An informal notification by e-mail is sufficient for the revocation. The legality of the data processing up to the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

Dmitry Grigoryev
  • 10,160
  • 33
  • 60