Third party ESTA website

[KiwiinMaine 51]

I applied for an ESTA yesterday on what I thought was the correct website, I was in a rush and didn’t check well enough. I paid the $89 fee (I should have realized then that something was wrong, as I know it’s below $20 to apply) with a credit card after my debit card was declined (I later got a call saying they had declined the payment due to possible fraud website). Once I got the phone call I rushed home to check that I’d used the right website by going through the official cbp website, I hadn’t. I panicked and applied for the ESTA through the correct website and was approved after paying the $14 fee. On the official cbp website there is a notice about third party websites applying for ESTAs on your behalf and that they aren’t fraudulent, just charge you a lot to do something that you can do yourself. I’m now worried that if the third party website goes to apply for an ESTA for me after it’s already been approved that it may have an affect on it. I’ve emailed cbp through their contact page on their website to ask them the same question, but I thought someone on here might have an idea. 

 

Disclaimer, I am aware that because I’ve been approved for an ESTA it does not guarantee me admission to the USA as I am in the process of an IR-1 visa. 

[KiwiinMaine 51]

Just now, Dee elle said:

The second application... if it was attempted .. would get a notice something like " a valid esta already exists for this passport.. do you wish to proceed anyway? "   Also, if the 3rd party doesnt  have their exorbitant fee in hand, they certainly aren't going to pay for your esta!!!  Perhaps, ensure your bank knows to decline any further debits attempted by that company. 

I literally just got a reply from cbp after I posted this topic. They said that my second application cancels out the first application. I haven’t heard from the third party website with the results of my application through them. Because my application through them was approved I’m hoping that if I get the payment for the third party website disputed that they won’t apply for it. Otherwise I have to hope that that application is approved as well or I can’t use ESTA again while I’m waiting for my petition to be completed. I am going to be canceling my debit card too, just in case!

[KiwiinMaine 51]

When I completed the application through the official website there was no notification of a application already being processed for my passport number. I’ve checked my passport number and application number on the cbp website a few times today and it says the same thing everytime, approved application you are allowed to travel to the USA. I’ll check it again a few more times today and if it says the same thing I think it will be okay. 

 

Thanks for your help!

[KiwiinMaine 51]

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

😎  it's just one more bump in the road that you wish wasn't happening... particularly when , like us, you are second time round!!!! 

Agreed! Very stressful, but I bought it on myself for not checking more thoroughly! Fingers crossed it all works out and my husband and I can have a little holiday together, before he goes home and I stay in NZ to wait out the rest of our journey 🤞🏻