Fake TSA PreCheck renewal email or website scam

What the message looks like

How this scam works

TSA says any website that claims to register you for TSA PreCheck and does not end in .gov is not an official TSA PreCheck website. The agency's authorized enrollment providers are CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos. You should reach them by typing tsa.gov/precheck yourself, not by tapping a link in an unexpected message or an ad at the top of search results.

The details matter, because a real renewal does exist. Membership lasts five years, and existing members may renew online up to six months before expiration, or in person. First-time applicants generally pay at an in-person visit after identity documents, fingerprints, and a photo are collected — though people who enroll through CLEAR may be able to pay online during pre-enrollment. Providers may also send renewal reminders. None of that makes a surprise payment link safe. If you are not sure a reminder is real, ignore the button and start at tsa.gov/precheck.

Red flags

• A .com, .net, or other non-.gov address that uses TSA colors, seals, or the words 'PreCheck' or 'Known Traveler.'
• An unexpected email or text that includes a button to pay right now, or a search ad that jumps straight to a checkout page.
• Pressure that you will lose screening before a trip unless you pay immediately, or a promise of guaranteed approval or faster government vetting for an extra fee.
• A site that asks a first-time applicant to pay before any in-person enrollment appointment — except through a provider TSA itself lists, reached from tsa.gov/precheck.
• A request for gift cards, a wire, or cryptocurrency. Official enrollment fees are not collected that way.

How to tell it’s fake

1. Type tsa.gov/precheck into your browser yourself and use only the links from that page. Check the address bar every time you move to a payment screen.
2. Look up your Known Traveler Number and expiration date through TSA's official tools rather than trusting the date in an email.
3. If a page asks for payment, confirm you are with CLEAR, IDEMIA, or Telos after starting from TSA's site — those are the only authorized enrollment providers TSA names.
4. If the email still looks exactly like a reminder you were expecting, get a second opinion from someone you trust or a scam expert before you enter a card number.

What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info

Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.

If you clicked a link or called back

• Close the tab. Do not enter payment or identity information. If you created a password on the fake site and reuse it elsewhere, change it. Report the page at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you paid

• Call your bank or card issuer immediately, explain that you paid a fraudulent TSA PreCheck site, and ask to dispute the charge and watch for more withdrawals. TSA says it will not reimburse people who paid a fraudulent website, so the card issuer is the first place to try. Report the scam to local police and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, then complete any real renewal separately at tsa.gov/precheck.

If you shared personal info, a password or a code

• If you typed a Social Security number, passport details, or other identity information, visit IdentityTheft.gov and consider a credit freeze. Monitor bank and credit accounts for new charges or accounts you did not open.

How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you

If a lookalike TSA PreCheck page opens in Chrome or Edge, Scam Guard compares it with official government addresses and can warn you before you type a card number or personal details on a non-.gov site. It also flags urgent 'renew now or lose your benefits' payment pressure. When you were already planning to renew, that is exactly when a second look helps.

Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.

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Questions people ask

Can I renew TSA PreCheck online for real?

Yes. Existing members may renew online up to six months before expiration, or in person. Start at tsa.gov/precheck and follow TSA's links to an authorized provider. Do not use a payment link from an unexpected email.

Do first-time applicants pay online?

Usually you pay during the in-person enrollment visit, after your documents, fingerprints, and photo are collected. TSA notes that applicants who enroll through CLEAR may be able to pay online during pre-enrollment. Either way, begin at tsa.gov/precheck so you are dealing with a provider TSA actually authorized.

Will TSA refund me if I paid a fake site?

TSA says it will not issue a reimbursement to people who enroll or renew through a fraudulent website. Contact your bank or card issuer right away and file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Sources

• TSA PreCheck FAQ: authorized .gov sites, enrollment providers, online renewal, and what to do after a fraudulent signup
• TSA PreCheck: start enrollment or renewal at the official site
• Sonoma County District Attorney: do not renew or sign up for TSA PreCheck from a link in an email