WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand has issued an advisory cautioning travelers against fraudulent websites that falsely claim to facilitate the Philippine eTravel Declaration Form.

In its statement posted on Facebook, the embassy said these scam websites have been charging fees and collecting personal information from unsuspecting travelers. “These websites are not authorized and may use the personal data they obtain for illegal activities,” the embassy warned.

The advisory emphasized that the eTravel Declaration Form is completely free and should only be accomplished through the official government website: https://etravel.gov.ph. The embassy also noted that the Philippine government has provided video instructions to guide travelers on how to properly fill out the form.

According to the embassy, victims of these fraudulent sites risk both financial loss and identity theft, as sensitive personal details may be misused. The warning comes amid reports of increasing online scams targeting overseas Filipinos and travelers.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) have also reminded the public to immediately report suspicious websites or individuals demanding payment for eTravel registration.

The eTravel Declaration Form is a mandatory requirement for all travelers entering or leaving the Philippines, designed to streamline immigration and health protocols. Authorities reiterated that only the official portal and the eGovPH app should be used to ensure safe and secure registration.

The embassy urged Filipinos in New Zealand and travelers worldwide to remain vigilant and to verify information only through official government channels.