Eta-apply.com Scam – What You Need To Know!

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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Those looking to travel to Canada often require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) visa. A notorious scam website, eta-apply.com, impersonates the official Canadian government eTA application site to defraud applicants. This article will uncover how this unscrupulous visa scam works, how to avoid being victimized, and what to do if you unfortunately fell prey.

eta-apply.com scam

The eTA Scam

An eTA is an electronic visa required for certain foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. Legitimate eTAs are issued via the official Government of Canada website cic.gc.ca, for a fee of CA$7.

Criminals are capitalizing on eTA requirements by operating fraudulent copycat websites that deceive applicants into paying exaggerated visa fees. One prolific example is eta-apply.com – a scam designed to dupe travelers into spending hundreds of dollars for visa services.

How the eta-apply.com Scam Operates

The eta-apply.com website fraudulently impersonates the real Canadian government eTA application portal. Using official Canadian government branding without authorization, the site appears authentic at first glance.

Applicants are prompted to enter personal and passport details to “apply” for an eTA. The site then generates an application form demanding payment of CA$899 for visa processing – over 100 times the actual government fee.

Unsuspecting victims submit payment believing eta-apply.com is the official portal. However, it is an elaborate scam to steal visa applicants’ money and data. The exorbitantly high fees go directly to the criminals behind the website.

Identifying and Avoiding the eta-apply.com Scam

While deceiving at first, there are key indicators that can help identify and steer clear of the eta-apply.com scam:

  • Verify URLs – The official eTA site URL is cic.gc.ca. Other .com or .org sites are fraudulent.
  • Check for a lock icon – Legitimate sites always use HTTPS connections. Non-secure HTTP sites indicate scams.
  • Look for discrepancies – Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and inconsistent branding point to scams.
  • Research official fees – The real Canadian eTA fee is only CA$7, not hundreds of dollars.
  • Avoid third-party visa services – Applying directly via the government website is safest.
  • Check domain registration details – Scam sites often use hidden registration data.
  • Do not rush – Scammers pressure urgency to avoid scrutiny. Carefully evaluate any eTA site.

These signs can help travelers identify and steer clear of eta-apply.com and other eTA visa scams. Applying directly via cic.gc.ca is always the safest option.

What to Do if Scammed by eta-apply.com

If you paid eta-apply.com and suspect you fell victim to the scam, take these steps immediately:

  • Contact your bank – Report the fraudulent charges and have them reversed if possible. Cancel any compromised cards.
  • Monitor accounts – Watch for signs of further misuse of financial and identity data provided to the scammers.
  • Change passwords – Update passwords for online accounts with reused credentials to prevent access.
  • Review credit reports – Check for any suspicious activities that point to potential identity theft.
  • Apply for a legit eTA – Safely reapply directly via the real Government of Canada cic.gc.ca website.
  • Report the scam – File a complaint with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to help warn others.
  • Spread awareness – Share your experience with others to help prevent them from being defrauded too.
  • If you suspect your device is infected with malware, you should run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free.

Conclusion

Websites like eta-apply.com deliberately deceive eTA applicants by impersonating government sites to steal hundreds of dollars. Checking for signs like unsecure connections and inflated fees can avoid becoming a victim. Those defrauded should act swiftly to limit financial damage, secure sensitive data, and obtain a legitimate visa. The eta-apply.com scam provides a cautionary tale on the importance of double-checking crucial travel documents and applying directly through official government channels.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

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    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

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    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

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    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

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    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

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    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

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    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

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    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

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    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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