Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Manage Cookies
Share
Business Profile

Passports and Visas

Passport Help Services Inc

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 4 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 0 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

Sort by

Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:22/06/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    i went on the website seeking to renew my birth certificate, you had to enter your info and they asked for my credit card info... before i could proceed with the filling and filing the documents, they had taken the money out of my account...i called them immediately and asked for a refund of the money they took out before i could actually do the process...i said i wouldn't be continuing with the process...the women said they would reimburse me by end of day which never occurred. i tried to go on the website again ********************** and can no longer get on it, it says page can't be found...i want my refund...this company is a ****

    Business Response

    Date: 14/07/2023

    To whom it may
    concern:
    Re:
    *** ****** ********
    ****** ******** **** *** ** *******
    To whom it may concern:
    This is a response to Ms. ***** ******* complaint against
    Canada Passport Help Services.
    We are disappointed by Ms. ******* accusation and would like to respond to Ms. ******* and provide a
    link to our website pages to debunk her unfounded and untruthful accusations.
    We are a federally registered company, and we have been providing passport services since September 2008 and have assisted over 50,000 customers.
    Before using our services, a client must sign up online ********************************************************* at *********************.  To complete online the signup process, a client must acknowledge and agree to Canada Passport Help terms and conditions **************************************.  No customer could finalize the signing up process without acknowledging and agreeing with Canada Passport Help terms and conditions. 
    The company website terms and conditions include a disclaimer indicating that “********************* is a private company and we are NOT a government agency.” 
    The company’s terms and conditions include fee structure, our services and the cancelation policy.
    Every page of our website including the main page ******************************** and Terms and Conditions **************************************, clearly explains in detail our
    Services section of our website ***************************************** clearly explain passport fees, what is included in the fees and how our service works.
    This is a summary of our interactions with Ms. *******.
    On June 20th, 2023, Ms. ******* signed up online to use Canada
    Passport Help (*********************) services to apply replace her
    lost birth certificate. 
    Immediately after
    signing up, Ms. ******* received an email from Canada Passport Help
    confirming her registration and providing a secure link to download and upload
    the application.
    On June 21st,
    2023, Ms. ******* emailed us and requested refund. 
    (Please see attached email 01.)
    On June 22nd, 2023, we cancelled Ms. ******* transaction and emailed her confirmation of
    the Cancelation and refund.  Please see
    attached email and confirmation of refund. 
    Please see attached email  02
    ***** ******
    *********
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:24/03/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I'm seeking to renew my Canadian Passport (from the U.S.).

    I Googled, "renew my Canadian passport from the U.S." and clicked on ********************* - mistakenly thought it was Government website or, at the very least, a government related and/or approved site.

    Before accessing forms to complete, the website requested payment (without disclosing the total amount that I would be charged).

    Again, under the impression that this is a gov't-related website, I submitted my initial info. along with payment, and accessed the form.

    Shortly thereafter, I started wondering if this was indeed a gov't approved/gov't-related website and it is NOT... I called the toll free numbers on ******************** and ALL numbers were busy. (no response). I tried calling multiple times. Busy,

    I am requesting a refund of $115.00. I do not plan on continuing my passport renewal process with them. I feel deceived and regret submitting any of my information for "assistance" in the application process. At the very least, the website should disclose their non-government "affiliation" along with a clear synopsis of services on the home page so its purpose is clear and transparent to the viewers.

    Judging by some of the *** reviews, it sounds like this site is charging a lot of unnecessary fees at each step of the application process.

    Business Response

    Date: 13/04/2023

    To whom it may concern:
    *** *** ****** ********
    ****** ******** **** *** ** *******
    To whom it may concern:
    This is a response to Ms. *****
    ******* ********* complaint against Canada Passport Help Services. 
    We are disappointed by Ms. ********* accusation and
    would like to respond to Ms. * ********* and provide a link
    to our website pages to debunk her unfounded and untruthful accusations.
    We are a federally registered company, and we have been providing passport services since September 2008 and have assisted over 50,000 customers.
    During the formation of our company and the development of our website, our company lawyers communicated with the Government of Canada - Passport Program representatives to ensure our website is not misleading and is not in violation of any of the Passport Program (AKA Passport Canada) rules and regulations.
    Canada Passport Help website ******************************** doesn’t mimic or look like the Canadian Government or Passport Program websites ******************************* 
    Before using our services, a client must sign up online ********************************************************* at *********************.  To complete online the signup process, a client must acknowledge and agree to Canada Passport Help terms and conditions ***************************************  No customer could finalize the signing up process without acknowledging and agreeing with Canada Passport Help terms and conditions. 
    The company website terms and conditions include a disclaimer indicating that “********************* is a private company and we are NOT a government agency.” 
    The company’s terms and conditions include fee structure, our services and the cancelation policy.
    Every page of our website including the main page ******************************** and Terms and Conditions **************************************, clearly explains in detail our services as:
    A detailed review and assessment of your Canadian passport application or Canadian passport renewal application
    A detailed review and assessment of the photos you’ve taken for your Canadian passport application
    Consultation on the assembly of the required components of your application prior to submission via post or courier
    Your own Canadian passport specialist to answer any questions or concerns you may have while completing the application or renewal process.
    Services section of our website ***************************************** clearly explain passport fees, what is included in the fees and how our service works.
    This is a summary of our interactions with Ms. *********.
    March 20, 2023, Ms. ********* signed
    up online to use Canada Passport Help (*********************) services to apply
    for a Canadian passport. 
    Immediately after signing up, Ms. ********* received an email from Canada Passport Help confirming her registration and
    providing a secure link to download and upload the application.
    Ms. ********* could reply
    to the email to request a refund.  If our
    phone line is busy, our phone system directs callers to our message system,
    which forward callers’ message to our representatives by email and voice mail
    for follow-up with inquiries.  We have
    searched our telephone system for received calls and messages, there is no
    message or call received from the phone number ************** provided by Ms. *********.
    Upon completing our inquiry to Ms. ********* claims, we closed her account with us and refunded the fee she paid
    online.  Please see attached cancelation
    confirmation email sent to Ms. *********.
    Point 1 from Mrs ********* stating
    that she was not able to see the total cost:
    Under the Service section you see:
    The total cost of
    obtaining a Canadian passport from the United States using
    Canada Passport help online services is:
    Adult 5 years passport is $275 USD* ($115 when signing up online + $160 when an application is submitted)
    Adult 10 years passport is $325 USD* ($115 when signing up online + $210 when an application is submitted)
    Child 5 years passport is $175 USD* ($100 when signing up online + $75 when an application is submitted)

    Point 2:  Mrs ********* stated that there was no
    mention that we are not the Government:
    Under our Terms and Agreements
    section, that all customers need to review before signing up, the first line
    is: ********************* is a private company, and we are NOT a
    government agency.
    ***** ******
    *********
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:13/03/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    ResolvedMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Website is a ****/misleading that claims to let you file your passport online. Makes itself look like Canadian government website. You cannot file your passport online. Payment was required as a first step, before you would realize it was not affiliated with gov.

    Business Response

    Date: 27/03/2023

    To whom it may
    concern:
    Re:
    BBB CASE#: 19588641
    ****** ******** **** *** ** *******
    To whom it may concern:
    This is a response to Ms. ***** ************ complain and
    accusations against Canada Passport Help Services. 
    We are disappointed by Ms. ************ accusation and would like to respond to Ms. ************ and provide a link to our website pages to debunk
    her unfounded and untruthful accusations.
    We are federally registered company, and we are providing passport services since September 2008 and have assisted over 50,000 customers.
    During the formation of our company and the development of our website, our company lawyers communicated with the Government of Canada - Passport Program representatives to ensure our website is not misleading and is not in violation of any of Passport Program (AKA Passport Canada) rules and regulations.
    Canada Passport Help website ******************************** doesn’t mimic or look like the Canadian Government or Passport Program websites *******************************
    Before using our services, a client must sign up online ********************************************************* at *********************.To complete online the signup process, a client must acknowledge and agreed to Canada Passport Help terms and conditions **************************************.No customer could finalize the signing up process without acknowledging and agreeing with Canada Passport Help terms and conditions.
    The company website terms and conditions include a disclaimer indicating that “********************* is a private company and we are NOT a government agency.”
    The company’s terms and conditions include fee structure, our services and the cancelation policy.
    Every page of our website including the main page ******************************** and Terms and Conditions ************************************** clearly explains in detail our services as:
    A detailed review and assessment of your Canadian passport application or Canadian passport renewal application
    A detailed review and assessment of the photos you’ve had taken for your Canadian passport application
    Consultation on the assembly of the required components of your application prior to submission via post or courier
    Your own personal Canadian passport specialist to answer whatever questions or concerns you may have while completing the application or renewal process.
    Services section of our website ***************************************** clearly explain passport fees, what is included in the fees and how our service works.
    After signing up online the customer receive an email with a unique secure link to download and upload their passport application and supporting documents for review.Our websites and terms and conditions emphasize that uploading or emailing the completed passport application, photo and supporting documents is just for review purpose. We ensure that these documents meet the Passport program requirements prior to submission via post or courier.
    No place in our website claim that clients can submit their passport application online to the Government of Canada or Passport Program.
    This is a summary of our interactions with Ms. ************.
    March 13, 2023, Ms. ************ signed up online to use Canada
    Passport Help (*********************) services to apply for a Canadian
    passport.
    After signing up
    On March 20, 2023, we received a charge back
    request from Ms. ************ Credit Card
    company.  We responded to the charge back
    request and agreed with the refund. No more money is due to this unpleasant
    customer.  
    ***** ******

    Customer Answer

    Date: 28/03/2023



    ****** ******** *******

    Note that I had to contact my credit card company to resolve the issue. Note that this was not resolved by them, but by visa. They also made a point of making and insulting comment about me be "unpleasant". I'm sure it was unpleasant that they didn't get to keep my money.  


  • Initial Complaint

    Date:04/01/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    On Jan. 1 2023 my wife & I wanted to renew our Canadian passports. We are dual citizens of United States & Canada. I typed in Google "How to renew your Canadian passport." Up came this site with an extension of .ca & I thought it was a government site simply because .org in the states is always a government site. I downloaded the application for for myself & just filled it out as far as my name & address. I never, I repeat NEVER wrote in my credit or debit card numbers or which bank I use. The next day Monday Jan. 2 I checked my bank statement like I do every day & noticed a $115. debit & $3.45 tax from my debit card from Canadian Passport Help. I called the actual Canadian passport office the next day Jan. 3 because Jan. 2 was a holiday & they told me that site was not connected to the Canadian passport office. They told me that they would never ask applicants to send money over the internet. The Canadian Passport Help website never mentioned it was not an official government site & there would be a $115. fee. On top of that I never even finished filling out their form. What I cannot understand how the got my debit card & bank information when I never gave it to them. I already called my bank to report this fraud & under the FDIC rules the money will be returned. What kind of **** is this that the Canadian government does not shut down.?
    **** ***** *** *********** *******

    Business Response

    Date: 24/01/2023

    To whom it may
    concern:
    Re:
    *** CASE#: 18683283
    Canada Passport
    Help Ref #: *******
    To whom it may concern:
    This is a response to Mr. **** **** complain about
    Canada Passport Help Services.
    We are disappointed by the negative experience
    Mr. ***** had but would like to clarify a few points:
    We are providing passport services since September 2008 and have assisted over 50,000 customers
    Our website is managed by an external professional IT company and, all information is encrypted to protect our customers.Our website use SSL Certificate and required standards for online services.
    Before using our services, a client must sign up online at *********************.To complete online signup process, a client must acknowledge and agreed to Canada Passport Help terms and conditions prior to the registration.No customer could finalize the signing up process without acknowledging and agreeing with Canada Passport Help (Canadapassporthelp.ca) terms and conditions.
    After signing up online the customer receive an email with a unique secure link to download and upload passport application and supporting documents.Also, the customers are given a unique customer number link to their account Mr. ***** customer number is: *******
    The company website terms and conditions include a disclaimer indicating that “CanadaPassportHelp.ca is a private company and we are NOT a government agency.”
    The company’s terms and conditions include fee structure, our services and cancelation policy.
    We have a refund policy published on our website that can cover the case of Mr. *****. A customer who registered by error, can benefit from a refund. The process is simple and clearly explained on our website.
    This is a summary of our interactions with Mr.
    ****.
    January 1, 2023, Mr. **** ***** signed up online to use Canada Passport Help (*********************) services to apply for a Canadian passport.   
    On January 4th, 2023, Mr. ****
    called our organization two times about signing up with our services.  He talked with two of our staff.  Our staff explained to Mr. **** that we
    understand he signed up with our services by mistake and we can close his
    account and refund his payment.  Mr. ****
    indicated that he already contacted his credit card company and requested a
    chargeback.  Mr. **** told us that he is calling
    because we are a fraudulent company, our website is mimicking the government
    website, and there is no explanation about the fees on our website.   We explained
    to Mr. **** that the company terms and conditions, which he acknowledged having
    read and understood before signing up, clearly indicate that we are not a
    government agency and what are the fees for our services.  Then Mr., **** indicted that we have stolen
    his credit card information.  He never submitted
    his credit card information online, and we have fraudulently accessed his
    account.  He threatened our staff to
    report us to the FBI, RCMP and all other agencies.  Mr. **** was very hostile and used vulgar
    language toward our staff.  We repeatedly
    asked Mr. **** what outcome he is seeking.  He again mentioned that he already contacted his bank, and he is getting
    his money.  Mr. ***** was adamant that we
    have “stolen” his credit card.  He wants
    to know how we stole his credit card information and wants to let us know he is
    planning to shut down our fraudulent company.  We told Mr. **** that we take this kind of accusations against our company
    seriously and we defend our company reputation vigorously.  We told Mr. **** that if he continues insulting
    our staff, and using racist language, we hang up on him.  Mr. **** called back again and continued with
    his accusations and insults.
    On January 7, 2023, we received a charge back
    request from Mr. **** Credit Card company.  We responded to the charge back request and agreed with the refund. No
    more money is due to this unpleasant customer. I would also warn Mr. **** to
    pay attention when using website and reputable businesses are operating online daily,
    without being illegal or malevolent.
    ***** ******

    *********

BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period, except for customer reviews. Customer reviews posted prior to July 5, 2024, will no longer be published when they reach three years from their submission date. Customer reviews posted on/after July 5, 2024, will be published indefinitely unless otherwise voluntarily retracted by the user who submitted the content, or BBB no longer believes the review is authentic. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this company, please let them know that you checked their record with BBB.

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.