Rossen Reports: Passport scam warning for summer travel
A warning as you gear up for your next trip — the Better Business Bureau says it’s seeing an increase in passport renewal scams.
According to the BBB, scammers create websites claiming they can renew your passport. You fill out a form and pay a fee, essentially handing over your personal and financial information.
Instead, only renew your passport from this legitimate site – . That will take you to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.
To renew your passport, click U.S. Passports, then click Renew or Replace a Passport.
If you want to renew your passport online, there is a new pilot program to do that now. The U.S. Department of State has opened an online passport renewal system you can find . Right now they’re only allowing a limited number of renewals online while they roll the new program out, so you may have to renew by mail instead. You can start that process by going .
The current processing time for passport renewals is about 6-8 weeks. For expeditated renewals, it’s 2-3 weeks and costs an extra $60.
Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com.
