PASS IT ON
The common scam that is catching out Brits applying for passports – and could cost you an extra £100
The websites look very similar to the government's, but charge significantly more
BRITS could be left hundreds out of pocket if they fall for a passport copycat site.
Applying for a passport is an important part of preparing for an overseas holiday.
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But, it's important that the application is correct for the crucial document.
Copycat sites mimic the and trick people into spending tens or even hundreds of pounds more than they otherwise would have to.
They offer a 'checking' service where they approve the documents are correct before sending them on to the Passport Office.
But, the official application form is relatively straight forward and anyone should be able to sort the documents themselves.
And, the Post Office also offers a service for only £16 to check whether all the documents are correct.
Instead of only paying £82.50 for an adult passport, those paying through the copycat site will pay £100 to £200 per passport.
Sarah Munro at said that it is tricky for people to get a refund from the sites if they figure our what they have done.
Munro suggests emailing as the communication is instant, giving you the best chance of catching it early, and the phone lines can cost £1.50 per minute.
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She said: "The sad thing is that these sites are legal. They're offering a service, some similar to the Post Office's Check & Send, it's just that they're charging up to 10 times more for it."
Prices for a passport also increase if a traveller picks to have their passport returned to them on the fast track.
Woman left £250 out of pocket after simple mistake with 'one-year-old' passport
The adult 'Fast-track' option costs £155 and returns the passport in a week, while the 'Premium' option costs £193.50 and is returned at the appointment.
A child's passport is only £53.50, but rises to £126 on the fast track.
Now that Britain has left the EU, travellers should also be aware of when their 10-year passport is set to expire.
Countries have a variety of rules that require a certain amount of time left on the passport to be allowed to enter the country.
When applying for a passport you will need someone to countersign your application.
The countersigner must meet certain criteria like: knowing them for two years, they must be of "good standing", and can't be related by birth.
Meanwhile, Matt Vandenberg, 29, was travelling from Sydney to Bali to celebrate a friend's wedding but was prevented from entering the Indonesia.
He explained on : "So I arrive at DPS, pay my visa, present my passport, get brought over to the immigration office who alerts me I have a 1cm tear on my passport page."
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American passenger Alisha Marie was stopped in Istanbul Airport after she turned out to be so much less attractive than her passport photo.
She warned that people should never take "hot photos" for their passports as it risks them not being recognised.
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