Just filled out Application Online

[kaydee457 13]

Haven't posted here for a while. Been really busy selling home/buying a new one in Florida...

Anyway, today I just submitted an application online for my wife's citizenship at what I thought was an official US Gov. site (it may be afterall but I'm suspicious).

The site charged me $169.00 for what *I* thought was the application fee for Citizenship. Apparently it was not the fee as the fee's several hundred dollars.

So what's up with this fee? I used a link provided in the stickies in the beginning of this forum.......

My link

I think I know the answer to my own question as I just took a second look at the site. It's not a U.S. Gov site at all....I think I just paid $169.00 to fill out an application I could've filled out myself, sigh.....

Well??

[muñequita y osito 2]

Haven't posted here for a while. Been really busy selling home/buying a new one in Florida...

Anyway, today I just submitted an application online for my wife's citizenship at what I thought was an official US Gov. site (it may be afterall but I'm suspicious).

The site charged me $169.00 for what *I* thought was the application fee for Citizenship. Apparently it was not the fee as the fee's several hundred dollars.

So what's up with this fee? I used a link provided in the stickies in the beginning of this forum.......

My link

I think I know the answer to my own question as I just took a second look at the site. It's not a U.S. Gov site at all....I think I just paid $169.00 to fill out an application I could've filled out myself, sigh.....

Well??

If you paid with a debit card call your bank and tell them there is a fraudulent charge on your account. If you did it with an actual credit card call the company and tell them that this is a scam and you are scared they will compromise your identity and have them remove the charge and issue you a new card immediately. Then visit WWW.USCIS.GOV. It's the only valid website and you should not be charge for any forms, plus you're suppose to mail your application fee made out to the Department of Homeland Security.

Hope you get your money back :)

[kaydee457 13]

If you paid with a debit card call your bank and tell them there is a fraudulent charge on your account. If you did it with an actual credit card call the company and tell them that this is a scam and you are scared they will compromise your identity and have them remove the charge and issue you a new card immediately. Then visit WWW.USCIS.GOV. It's the only valid website and you should not be charge for any forms, plus you're suppose to mail your application fee made out to the Department of Homeland Security.

Hope you get your money back :)

I went back to trace my clicks to see how I ended up on that site....It was in this thread (pinned) in Post#5, "Do you qualify for Citizenship" link that takes a person to that site. I was duped into thinking it was an official U.S. Gov site.

Pinned thread, post #5

I did put it on a Visa CC but they have all my wife's personal info stored......

[NickD 202]

Didn't this catch your eye?

Beware of Immigration Scams: It came to our attention that there are a lot of companies charging between $99.00-1600.00 (680.00 processing fee not included), while the actual preparation price with the US Immigration Organization is $680.00.

Didn't it occur to you that this is one of those scam sites?

Important: You cannot apply for U.S. Citizenship in local USCIS office. You must submit your application by mail.

If course you can't, have to send it to some lockbox.

From April 01, 2011 US Immigration Organization implemented E-Filling option for Application for Naturalization (Form N-400). As of result, you can now prepare your U.S. Citizenship Application (Form N-400) documents Online.

Should kind of noted that the "US Immigration Organization" not the "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services"

As suggested get your money back, current fee is $680.00. That site does not refer to that 680 buck as being the USCIS application fee, it refers to it as the preparation fee. Quite a major difference.

[DeeBee 1]

Sorry for your troubles. Everyone makes mistakes. Take the advice of muñequita y osito and cancel the transaction (don't feel embarrassed about it - they're in the wrong, not you). Then re-file using the correct link (any government site will also end in .gov). Don't forget to re-file, I seriously wouldn't count on the information you submitted to them getting to USCIS. When you file, include a cover letter concisely stating what happened, and that it's possible an application has already been filed for you). Best of luck.

[kaydee457 13]

Didn't this catch your eye?

Beware of Immigration Scams: It came to our attention that there are a lot of companies charging between $99.00-1600.00 (680.00 processing fee not included), while the actual preparation price with the US Immigration Organization is $680.00.

Didn't it occur to you that this is one of those scam sites?

Important: You cannot apply for U.S. Citizenship in local USCIS office. You must submit your application by mail.

If course you can't, have to send it to some lockbox.

From April 01, 2011 US Immigration Organization implemented E-Filling option for Application for Naturalization (Form N-400). As of result, you can now prepare your U.S. Citizenship Application (Form N-400) documents Online.

Should kind of noted that the "US Immigration Organization" not the "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services"

As suggested get your money back, current fee is $680.00. That site does not refer to that 680 buck as being the USCIS application fee, it refers to it as the preparation fee. Quite a major difference.

I've seen that warning before and I'm not new at this albeit a bit rusty....I'm feeling dumb enough, thank you very much!

I will cancel this in the morning.

I went back to the site and edited everything I entered in my “account” to obscure my wife's and my identity and saved the file. I'm sure if they wanted to they could easily retrieve the original with our real SSN's and such but I'm not sure they'd bother.

First thing in the morning I'll call VISA and dispute the charge. BTW, they do mention the $680 fee AFTER you complete the application.

Their fee is $169 bucks just to prepare/print the 400 form....Sheesh!

I have to tell you guys I don't miss this immigration #######....I see that INS, or USCIS needs to take more Biometrics as the older fingerprints have likely changed, LOL.....

P.S. Frankly I think the post in the Sticky should be edited to warn a user that might take that path/link that the subsequent site charges exorbitant application fees and to make use of only the "Qualification Screening" portion of the site to ascertain eligibility......JMO

[^_^ 5,021]

P.S. Frankly I think the post in the Sticky should be edited to warn a user that might take that path/link that the subsequent site charges exorbitant application fees and to make use of only the "Qualification Screening" portion of the site to ascertain eligibility......JMO

VJ is increasingly getting in bed with external firms which purport to provide all manner of 'services' from what you encountered to so-called "immigration consultants" who are basically VJ members who charge you $$ to do what VJ members used to do for free. This is no longer the site it was many years ago. It is sad that a sticky on this site led you to be scammed, but I'd be lying if I said I was surprised.

[The Dude 206]

P.S. Frankly I think the post in the Sticky should be edited to warn a user that might take that path/link that the subsequent site charges exorbitant application fees and to make use of only the "Qualification Screening" portion of the site to ascertain eligibility......JMO

Perhaps you should do the same with your OP. Linking to a known scam site is against the TOS too.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

VJ is increasingly getting in bed with external firms which purport to provide all manner of 'services' from what you encountered to so-called "immigration consultants" who are basically VJ members who charge you $$ to do what VJ members used to do for free. This is no longer the site it was many years ago. It is sad that a sticky on this site led you to be scammed, but I'd be lying if I said I was surprised.

That is only to be expected in a capitalist society. I am surprised there is not a question about that on the civics test.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thank you Kaydee, for bringing this to our attention. The site is very cleverly set up to look like an official site and it is not until you get to the very bottom of the page does it show this disclaimer:

DISCLAIMER The information provided on this site is not legal advice but general information on legal issues commonly encountered when dealing with immigration matters. This site or USAImmigrationSupport.com cannot provide legal advice and only provides self-help services at a client's direction. USAImmigrationSupport.com is not a law firm or affiliated with the United States government. Purchase price does not include application or filing fees that may be charged by the USCIS or by any other agency. Please note that your access to and use of USAImmigrationSupport.com is subject to additional terms and conditions.

I will bring this post to Administration's attention so they can edit out the misleading link and hopefully prevent others from falling into this same trap.

And to respond to AJ, Visa Journey is not getting in bed with any external firms or immigration consultants, not ones owned or operated by VJ members nor ones owned by non Visa Journey members, nor do any such firms or consultants receive preferential or special treatment. Our membership is not for sale to anyone for any reason nor are any of these firms or individuals allowed to recruit from within our membership. This is and will remain a Term of Service. If you have evidence to the contrary, please bring it to the Moderation Team's attention so we can deal with it.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Perhaps you should do the same with your OP. Linking to a known scam site is against the TOS too.

The link was included on a pinned topic already on Visa Journey. Kaydee has pointed out the liability of the link and the provider as well as where it is located, in this particular situation, providing a service for other VJ members. The link has, unfortunately, been there since April 2006.

Edited May 10, 2011 by Kathryn41

[NickD 202]

I was curious as to how they deal with other N-400 issues, like enclosing a check for 680 bucks and that inch thick of evidence we had to supply for evidence of a valid marriage.

Really think twice before typing in my credit card number and would never ever provide my bank routing number again over the net giving someone permission to withdraw money from my account. But at least was wise enough to open a separate account with a small balance in it. Even that led to problems because these crooks tried to draw out more money than what was in the account. This happened years ago when I was naive and trusting.

Buying off the net has greatly decreased, but my wife did type in our CC number on one trusting looking site, we got billed for 300 bucks worth of porn sites the next bill, but had protection from that. I will only buy from sites that lets me use my paypal account that offers double protection. If not, use their advertised price with my local stores, you will be surprised how well that works. And if its defective, wrong item, or if you are not happy with it, don't have to pay for return shipping, argue for months, or pay a 20% restocking charge.

Another thing about buying off the net, is that big state brother is watching, purchased a computer, in the 500 buck class, and forgot to include the sales tax on my state income tax. Got a letter from them, not only to pay that tax, but a fine as well. Told me they have complete access to my credit card account, thought this was private. So in the State of Wisconsin, you don't save on sales tax by buying off the net.

Also learned to be careful not to use my key email address when joining a new board. Did that once and the next day, had over a thousand spams in my prime account. Had to contact my server and change my email address.

I wasn't born paranoid, but sure made that way.

[kaydee457 13]

Just a follow up-

VISA says there's nothing they can do until the charge is posted and even then there's little that can be done other than request a refund from the vendor.

Nick- this site does NOTHING other than prepare the N400 for MAILING....You are instructed to supply the PP photos and write a check for $680 and MAIL it all off to USCIS....

Their "service" ends with the application, a PDF of the completed and filled application and of course their fee of $169 for it.....

Man, am I feeling stupid. I could've filled this thing out for FREE!

Oh well, like I said before it's great to be back into this process-NOT!

[NickD 202]

Wifes' first job here was at the local hospital in patient assistance, not emergency, but for people that didn't have health insurance and claimed to be broke. She interviewed them and filled out all the forms correctly, patients just had to read and sign them. She contacted various governmental agencies to see if aid was available and also had to verify what they said was true. She always commented on how people lie to get free medical care. She was expected to interview at least six patients per day, but more like 8 patients per day. This was done at no cost to the patient, and still had the option not to accept the care if they could find it cheaper someplace else.

What a contrast in dealing with the USCIS, you have to do all their work with very poorly written forms and supply all the required proven documentation on a silver platter. If have questions on nebulous statements on their forms, certainly no help when calling that 800 number. Then they say if you have omissions or inaccurate answers on their forms, they can reject your application and keep your fees.

This was a bit of a panic for us, because our first check was in the neighborhood of $2,600.00. One would think for what they charge, could at least go into a field office and have them fill out those forms for you.

So I would hold the USCIS responsible for all of these shady places on the internet, you only found one. Of course, no such thing as a mutually agreed upon appointment, even the IRS lets you do that! And claim if you are even one minute late for an appointment, can reject you, but we had to wait as long as 3 1/2 hours for one appointment. But never once, did we have an appointment at the scheduled time.

With my wife, she trained at night and during the weekends to be a certified medical interpreter and translator. No longer comes home with a migraine headache and making a lot more pay. And had to keep her appointments with a reasonable wait at times. But that is the difference between working for a profitable corporation and the US government.

They also "misplaced" our applications three times, but that is okay for them, its your responsibility to keep yourself legal, not theirs.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Like Tango and sex, getting scammed requires two: one scammer and one person allowing themselves to be scammed.

It just boggles my mind how many people still send money to Nigeria as a processing fee tto get their multi-million dollar check, or subscribe to an Internet virus protection service for only $5 a month, but for 99 years, or believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, or believe that this magic pill will increase the size of their schlong by 3 inches in 24 hours. All of this is a sign of ignorance and poor education. Luckily, there's a self-help booklet out, that I can't recommend highly enough. The price is only $9.99 and its title is "Don't be an Ididot." The idiot's guide to self de Nile.

To receive it: just send check or Western Union money order to:

Don't be an Idiot

P.O. Box 666

Podunk Holler, Nebraska 66666