A tourist has revealed that were caught out after applying for a visa to visit Canada on what looked to be the genuine Canadian government website.
However, after inputting his bank details, they were immediately contacted by his bank, alerting him to the fact that it was a scam.
Anxious that tourists may be targeted by the same scam, they shared their problem with the consumer group Which?.
Money expert Simon Dicey said: ‘We’re glad that you didn’t lose any money.
‘It’s difficult to distinguish between bona fide foreign government websites and copycat ones, like the one you used.
‘We’ve also heard of a spate of scams related to applying for Canadian visas.
‘It’s safest to start by going to gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
‘This explains whether you need a visa for each country and contains links to the websites of foreign governments’ UK consulates.
A tourist revealed that they applied for a visa to visit Canada on what looked to be the genuine Canadian government website
‘The bad news is that the scammers may now have some of your personal details, which they could use to apply for products in your name.
‘While you won’t be on the hook for losses from identity fraud, you should consider using Cifas’ Protective Registration service. This costs £30 for two years.
‘Any applications for financial products that use your name during that period will be subject to extra checks.’
This comes as a warning has been issued as scammers are said to be targeting travellers during the rollout of the new EU border system.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) launched this weekend, aiming to make going through airport checks faster. But scammers are said to be taking advantage of confusion over the new rules.
The EES requires non-EU passport holders and those crossing Schengen borders to provide biometric data and fingerprints. There is currently no need for visa-exempt non-EU nationals to obtain any additional documentation to travel.
However, later in 2026, another new system will be rolled out, known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Scammers are preying on confusion over this second system.
Under the new ETIAS rules, travellers who don’t need a visa from non-EU countries, including the UK, Australia, the US and Canada, will have to obtain authorisation before short stays in the Schengen Area.
It will apply to 30 European countries – all EU states except Ireland plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
But some travellers may confuse the upcoming EES – for which no extra applications are required – with the ETIAS.
The association of travel agents and tour operators ABTA and the European Union have made it clear that scammers are taking advantage of this opportunity.
ABTA told EuroNews: ‘People who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud, with a loss of money and possibly personal data too.’
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) launched this weekend, aiming to make going through airport checks faster
More than 60 fake websites have claimed to sell the ETIAS visa waiver – which has still not yet been introduced, ABTA said.
When it is brought into operation, the only place to apply will be on the official website.
Travellers have been warned to ignore apps, websites, or social media posts claiming to offer alternatives.
ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said: ‘The European Union is very keen to stress the fact that there is only one official site for purchasing an ETIAS visa-waiver, and people should not use other channels.’
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Tourist reveals they got scammed while applying for a travel visa – how to avoid the same mistake
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