- Citizens Advice says that if money was transferred in the last 24 hours you should tell the police immediately by calling 101.
- Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 covers items with a cash price from £100 to £30,000, and applies to credit, not debit, cards.
- A report to Report Fraud gives you a crime reference number, which banks and card providers often ask for.
Do these in order
- Stop paying. Do not send a second fee for “processing” or “delivery”.
- Call your bank or card provider on the number printed on your card, or 159 if your bank supports it, as Citizens Advice notes. Say the site imitated the passport service.
- Keep evidence: screenshots of the site, the advert you clicked, your receipt and any emails.
- Report it to Report Fraud and keep the crime reference number.
- Protect your details: change passwords you reused, watch your accounts and check your credit score for applications you did not make, as Citizens Advice advises.
- Check the application through GOV.UK before applying again.
How the payment method changes your options
| You paid by | What to ask your provider |
|---|---|
| Credit card | A claim under section 75, which makes the card provider jointly liable with the seller for misrepresentation or breach of contract. The statute sets the cash-price range at £100 to £30,000 for a single item, so ask how your provider treats a service fee. |
| Debit card | A chargeback. This is a card-scheme process rather than a statutory right, so your provider decides whether it applies. |
| Bank transfer | Tell the bank at once that the payee misrepresented itself, and ask what it can do to recall the payment. |
Some copycat sites do submit a real application, so the question your bank will ask is whether the site misled you about who it was. Describe what the site claimed, using its own words.
If you uploaded a passport scan or photo
A scan, a photo and your address together are enough to try to open accounts in your name. Tell your bank if card details were entered, and watch for unfamiliar credit or post. If the passport itself went to a stranger, report it as lost so it cannot be used: lost or stolen passport. Citizens Advice recommends changing passwords as soon as possible and checking your credit score.
The application itself
If you are unsure whether a real application was made, check through GOV.UK before submitting another, so you do not pay the official fee twice. The official fee for an adult is £102 online or £115.50 on paper, and you can track an application with its reference number. If your travel date is close, the official urgent options are in urgent passport services.
Consequences, in three kinds
Money: the service fee, and possibly the official fee twice if you pay again.
Time: a delayed application and a missed trip if the copy never submitted anything.
Identity: scans, photo, address and card details in the hands of an unknown operator.
Legal: none for you as a victim. The sanctions fall on the site’s operator if it misled you.
Who to contact
| Who | Contact |
|---|---|
| Your bank or card provider | The number on your card; 159 if your bank is part of the scheme |
| Report Fraud | Report online. In Scotland, Police Scotland on 101 |
| Citizens Advice consumer helpline | 0808 223 1133, for referral to Trading Standards |
| HM Passport Office | 0300 222 0000, 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday |
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back from a passport scam site?
Sometimes. It depends on how you paid, how quickly you act, and whether the site misled you. Contact your bank first; credit card payments may be covered by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Should I report a passport scam site?
Yes. Report it to Report Fraud, to Citizens Advice for Trading Standards, and to the platform that showed the advert.
What if my application was actually submitted?
Check its status through GOV.UK before applying again, so you avoid paying the official fee twice.
Does section 75 cover a passport fee paid by credit card?
Possibly. Section 75 covers claims for misrepresentation or breach of contract on items with a cash price between £100 and £30,000. Whether a service fee falls within that range is for your card provider to decide.
What if I paid by debit card?
Section 75 does not apply to debit cards. Ask your bank about a chargeback and give it the same evidence: screenshots, the advert, your receipt and your crime reference number.
Do I need to report my passport lost if I uploaded a scan?
Not automatically. A scan alone does not leave your hands, so the passport is still yours. If the physical passport was posted to a stranger or you cannot find it, report it lost on GOV.UK.