Belgian travellers warned of UK ETA visa scams

Travellers are being warned about scams involving ETAs, the electronic travel authorisations now required to travel to the UK.

Europeans have been subject to the ETA since 2 April. Initially, it cost £10 (approximately €12), but from 9 April, it will cost £16 (almost €19).

Scammers are taking advantage of travellers’ urgency and the novelty of the procedure, which is still not well understood by Belgians.

Fake websites charge for the ETA but do not actually take any action and, instead, retrieve bank details and personal data such as passport number or photo. Other scams simply overcharge for the service.

Generally, the scammers illegally fail to disclose that they are not official government entities and are applying additional charges.

Belgium’s federal economy ministry has received a number of complaints regarding online ETA scams and spokesperson Etienne Mignolet said it was "a known practice", although it cannot provide precise figures due to data restraints.

“When the economic inspectorate receives reports, they’re analysed and, if it is within its remit and if it proves relevant, an investigation is launched to identify the person(s) responsible,” Mignolet added.

“If the investigation reveals that it is a case of fraud, the official report is sent to the competent public prosecutor's office.”

The economy ministry said victims of ETA scams should file a complaint with the local police, report the scam via ConsumerConnect and contact Card Stop and their bank.

If victims paid with a Visa or Mastercard credit card, they can dispute the payment via www.macarte.be.

If victims sent passport photos or passport numbers, or have concerns regarding the security of identity documents, they can also have them blocked immediately on DOC STOP, the police’s dedicated platform. This can be done online or by calling 0800 2123 2123.

To guide Belgian travellers, the foreign ministry posted links to the official ETA UK application and to the British administration's online platform for the procedures directly on its website.

The ETA is a simplified visa waiver which the United Kingdom requires of travellers from a certain number of countries. It is exclusively a travel document and does not grant permission to work.

An ETA is valid for two years or until the passport expires (if sooner).

Every traveller is subject to it, regardless of age, even children and infants. British authorities announced a period of 72 hours to validate the request.