“WARNING Don’t Fall for These Visa Scams!”

DHLTV

Transcript

00:00Think that visa agent is helping you?

00:02Think again.

00:03Here are the top visa scams that can steal your money.

00:07Or your identity.

00:11Hey, travelers!

00:12I'm your guide to stress-free travel and visa success.

00:16Today, I'm sharing the most common visa scams

00:19you absolutely need to avoid

00:21when applying for a U.S. or any tourist visa.

00:24The risks are real, but with the right knowledge,

00:27boy, you can keep your money and your dream trip

00:30safe from fraudsters.

00:33Let's start with number one, fake visa agents.

00:36These scammers prey on your anxiety

00:38about the application process,

00:40promising guaranteed approval

00:42or claiming to have secret connections at the embassy.

00:45They'll make big promises,

00:47ask for all your personal details,

00:49and then demand hefty upfront fees.

00:52Once you've paid, they either disappear

00:54or string you along with endless delays.

00:57Here's the truth.

00:58Visa approval is never guaranteed,

01:01not even by an agent.

01:03Only embassy officials can decide,

01:05and legitimate agents or agencies

01:07will never promise success.

01:09If you're ever in doubt,

01:11always use the official embassy websites

01:13or ask about approved third-party services.

01:16Next up, phishing websites designed heed

01:19to fool even the savviest traveler.

01:21These fake sites look almost identical

01:24to real government portals

01:25with names like usvisaapply.com

01:28or usavisagov.org,

01:31hoping you won't notice the subtle differences.

01:34Once you enter your details and pay,

01:36your money and identity are at risk.

01:39So, here's a crucial tip.

01:41Always double-check the URL

01:43before entering any information.

01:45Official U.S. visa sites

01:47always end in .gov.

01:49If you see .com or a weird variation,

01:52close the window immediately.

01:54Social media's power is undeniable,

01:56but it's also a playground for scammers.

01:59If someone slides into your DMs

02:01on WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram,

02:04offering to score you

02:04a last-minute visa appointment

02:06or an exclusive interview slot,

02:09be skeptical.

02:10Scammers often say,

02:12we'll book it for you

02:13as soon as you send payment

02:14or your passport info.

02:16Then, poof!

02:19They're gone, along with your data.

02:21The golden rule?

02:23Never share sensitive information

02:24or make payments to strangers

02:26via social media.

02:28Official visa appointments

02:29are only made

02:30through recognized government sites.

02:32Another growing scam

02:33is the fake job offer

02:35with a visa attached.

02:37You'll get an email

02:37or WhatsApp message

02:39from a company in the U.S.

02:40that claims they can hire you,

02:42but only if you pay them

02:43hundreds, sometimes thousands,

02:46of dollars in visa fees

02:47or processing charges.

02:49Pause and remember,

02:51real U.S. employers

02:52who sponsor work visas

02:53handle the paperwork

02:54and government fees themselves,

02:56not you.

02:58If you're asked to pay up front,

03:00it's almost certainly a scam.

03:02Always research any company

03:04that contacts you.

03:06Check their official website,

03:07physical address,

03:09and business registrations.

03:10And finally,

03:11beware of overpriced dummy tickets

03:13and fake documents.

03:15Some visa applicants

03:16think they need to present

03:17proof of flights

03:18or hotel bookings,

03:19so scammers offer

03:20fake reservations

03:21or dummy documents,

03:23sometimes charging $100 or more.

03:26Not only can these documents

03:27get you in trouble

03:28if discovered,

03:29but you're likely overpaying

03:31for something either unneeded

03:32or easily refundable

03:34through legitimate means.

03:36Need to show proof of travel?

03:38Use airlines or hotels

03:40that offer full refunds?

03:41Or utilize only trusted services

03:44recommended by travel experts,

03:46not random sellers online.

03:49Visa scams are sadly everywhere,

03:51but now you know

03:52what to watch out for.

03:53Be smart.

03:55Use only official sources

03:56and trusted services

03:57for all your travel planning.

04:00Don't rush.

04:01Read every instruction,

04:02and when in doubt,

04:03ask questions

04:04or consult official

04:05embassy helplines.

04:07Like this message

04:08to help protect fellow travelers.

04:10And remember,

04:11informed travelers

04:12are safe travelers.

04:14Stay smart,

04:15travel safe,

04:16and come back

04:17for more real visa tips.

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