BBB warns of passport renewal scams

JACKSON, Tenn. — As of September 18, the U.S Department of State has made their new online passport renewal system fully available to the public. The process will save time and effort.

However, the new process is putting consumers at risk of imposters. A local Jackson victim has already been scammed from an imposter website, losing $109. Remember, if you’re dealing with a legitimate U.S. government website it will end in ‘.gov.’

Make sure you meet the requirements for renewal before you go online and pay any fee or provide your information.

The only website you’ll be able to renew on is travel.State.Gov/renewonline

“If you are a new person who has never had a passport before, you will have to go ahead and make that appointment at the post office to go ahead and get your passport started — process started, but this is only for renewal,” said Toddnetta Trice, communications specialist for the Better Business Bureau.

If in doubt when seeking a renewal, do it the most trusted way of making an appointment at the U.S post office.

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