Fake Ed Card Site
The Immigration Department has issued an advisory warning the public about a fraudulent website falsely offering online Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) Cards and charging an unlawful fee. Officials stress the only authorised portal is BVIEDCARD.GOV.VG and remind travellers the ED Card is free; anyone who paid should contact their bank and report the incident.
The Government of the Virgin Islands is warning residents and visitors about a fraudulent website purporting to offer official online Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) Cards and unlawfully charging a fee. In an advisory issued on February 2, the Immigration Department said the site is falsely representing itself as the official government platform for online ED Card applications.
The department emphasised that the site is NOT affiliated with the Government of the Virgin Islands and that there is no charge for obtaining an ED Card. Authorities reiterated that the ONLY authorised website for completing the mandatory online entry form is BVIEDCARD.GOV.VG (http://bviedcard.gov.vg/).
The advisory stated there are NO other authorised websites for this service and urged members of the public to exercise caution when accessing online travel services. The ED Card system was introduced to streamline entry and departure procedures by requiring travellers to complete an online form prior to arrival in the territory.
Previous public notices have stressed that the process is free and managed exclusively through the official government portal. The Immigration Department strongly advised people not to provide personal information or make payments on unauthorised websites claiming to facilitate entry into the territory.
The advisory also asked anyone who believes they may have interacted with the fraudulent platform or made a payment to report the matter immediately to their banking institution. For affected individuals, practical steps include contacting your bank to report any unauthorised transactions, monitoring account and card activity closely, and changing passwords on any accounts that may have been exposed.
Residents concerned about identity theft or fraudulent use of personal data should also consider reporting the incident to the police and the Immigration Department. The government urged travellers to verify the official ED Card portal before submitting personal information and to rely on announcements posted through official government channels for updates.
If in doubt, visit the official government website or contact Immigration directly for confirmation before proceeding with any online entry form. Protecting personal and financial information online remains a priority for the territory, and officials say they will continue to monitor the situation and notify the public of further developments.
Primary source: BVI News