TO: U.S. Immigration Support [info@us-immigrationsupport.org]
FROM: Fabio Marri, via Moncalieri 46, I- 41125 Modena, Italy
Modena, 8/06/2024
On 6/14/2024, I completed the procedure to obtain the ESTA renewal for myself and my wife Daniela Gianaroli. I used the U.S. Immigration Support website (see link below):
https://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/it/esta-italia/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwk8e1BhALEiwAc8MHiH1D0avOLlWK1aM4aTfQy_q3gGJQYmui3qXzaNVYeWbwWfwrMhU2pRoCqnEQAvD_BwE
The website does not show anywhere the cost of the service, so I was under the impression that the standard $21.00 fee/document would have been applied.
At the end of the process through the U.S. Immigration Support website, we were asked to make the payment without indicating the total amount. Once the payment via credit card ***426 went through, the bank informed us we were charged $121.00 per application, so a total of $242.00.
After obtaining the two ESTAs (Order# 14000227476/ 14000227484) and an email containing the below details:
Payment Date: June 14, 2024 2:56:5 PM
Payment Tracking Code: 27F8OIMK
Payment Received: $21.00
I asked the U.S. Immigration Support a clarification on the additional $100+100 charge and I received the following reply:
Dear Daniela Gianaroli and Fabio Marri,
Thank you for your email.
We are a private company offering professional assistance to travelers in submitting their Travel Authorization applications. We currently charge a US $ 121.00 processing fee for every successful application. For more information, please see our services outlined at our delivery policy page on our website.
By having us process your application;
- The application is quality checked before processing.
- You can contact our helpdesk before and after the application has been processed. Our helpdesk replies to all inquiries within 24 hours.
- You will be issued a new Travel Authorization for free should any of your personal data change, requiring you to get a new Travel Authorization.
- You will receive the application by email once it has been approved.
- We cover the US $ 21.00 USD U.S. government application fee.
- You will receive a 100% refund in the event that your application is not approved.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions regarding your application or our services.
Kind regards,
Customer Service Department.
To confirm the incorrectness of the operation we also refer to the Alert released on 25.7.2024 Scams on ESTA by the Embassy and Consulates of the United States of America in Italy: https://it.usembassy.gov/it/visti/visa-waiver-program/esta/truffe-sullesta/
I’m requesting to U.S. Immigration Support a refund of $200.00 ($100.00/application), since this fee was not mentioned at any point during the application process.
I kindly request to receive an answer within 30 days from the date when my formal claim has been received.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Fabio Marri
