Dummy Ticket for Visa Appeals and Reconsideration Requests

Why Visa Appeals and Reconsideration Requests Need a Dummy Ticket

When your visa application has been refused, the appeal or reconsideration process is not simply a repeat of your first submission. Consular officers and immigration tribunals assess whether the grounds for refusal have been genuinely addressed. If the original refusal cited insufficient travel plans, weak ties to your home country, or inadequate proof of return intention, a dated flight reservation becomes a pivotal piece of documentary evidence — not a decorative extra.

What the Adjudicator Is Actually Looking For

In a formal appeal (such as an Administrative Review, a Tribunal Hearing, or a reconsideration request filed with the embassy), the officer or judge reviews your file de novo. They will check whether your new evidence cures the specific defect noted in the refusal letter. A dummy ticket for visa appeal purposes demonstrates three things simultaneously:

1. Concrete travel intent — a dated itinerary with a live PNR shows you have moved beyond vague intentions to a specific departure window.
2. Financial planning — the existence of a booking hold (even if unpaid) signals that you have budgeted for airfare, which addresses concerns about funds adequacy.
3. Return commitment — a round-trip reservation with a return leg to your home country directly rebuts the most common refusal ground: “risk of overstaying.”

When Appeals Require Fresher Dates Than the Original Application

One of the most frequent mistakes appellants make is submitting the same itinerary used in the refused application. Immigration authorities typically expect a new, undated-adjacent reservation that reflects your realistic, revised travel timeline — usually 2 to 4 weeks from the date you file the appeal. If your original refusal letter stated that your travel dates were “too distant” or “unrealistic,” an old dummy ticket will actively hurt your case. You need a fresh booking hold that aligns with the expected processing time of the appeal (which can range from 30 days for administrative reconsideration to 6+ months for tribunal hearings, depending on the country).

How to Present Your Dummy Itinerary in the Appeal Packet

Do not simply staple the PDF to your cover letter. Follow this practical sequence:

• Obtain a verifiable dummy flight itinerary (with a real PNR and airline record locator) for a round trip that includes your intended entry and exit dates.
• Write a cover letter that explicitly references the refusal ground and explains how the enclosed reservation addresses it. For example: “The refusal cited insufficient proof of return. The attached flight reservation shows a confirmed return to [home country] on [date].”
• Include the PNR confirmation page and the airline’s fare rules (which show the booking is refundable or changeable) to demonstrate good faith.
• If your appeal is filed by a lawyer or migration agent, ensure the itinerary is dated within 7 days of the submission date — many tribunals discount “stale” bookings.

Typical Evidence Timeline for Appeals

Remember: the adjudicator is not checking whether you bought a ticket — they are checking whether you have a credible, current, and concrete plan to travel. A stale or generic booking will invite further scrutiny. A fresh, verifiable flight reservation, obtained specifically for your appeal, signals that your circumstances have changed since the refusal — which is the entire point of the reconsideration process. Use it as one pillar of a broader evidentiary strategy that includes bank statements, employment letters, and property documents, but never underestimate how much weight a simple dated itinerary carries in a visa appeal.

Anatomy of an Appeal-Ready Dummy Ticket: PNR, Validity, and Dates

When you submit a reconsideration request or formal appeal, the reviewing officer will scrutinize your flight reservation far more closely than during the initial application. A vague itinerary or an expired booking hold will undermine your entire argument. To be persuasive, your dummy ticket must contain three verified components: a live PNR, a realistic validity window, and dates that align with your stated travel purpose.

1. The PNR: Your Proof of a Real Reservation

The Passenger Name Record (PNR) is the single most important element. It is a six-character alphanumeric code stored in the airline’s or global distribution system’s (GDS) database. Without it, your document is merely a quote, not a reservation. For an appeal, the PNR must be live and verifiable—meaning the officer can check it in the airline’s system and see your name, flight numbers, and dates. A screenshot of a payment page or an email from a travel agency without a PNR will be rejected.

• What to check: Ask your provider for the GDS source (Amadeus, Sabre, or Galileo). Print the PNR confirmation page that shows the booking status as “Confirmed” or “HK” (holding confirmed), not “Waitlisted” or “Requested.”
• Name match: The PNR must exactly match your passport name—no nicknames, no middle-name omissions. Even one letter off can invalidate the reservation for appeal purposes.
• Airline verifiability: Most major carriers allow online PNR lookup. Test it yourself before submitting. If the airline’s website cannot retrieve it, the officer cannot either.

2. Validity: How Long Is Your Booking Hold?

A dummy ticket is typically valid for 7 to 14 days from issuance, depending on the fare type and the airline’s ticketing deadline. For an appeal, you must ensure the reservation does not expire before the officer reviews your file. Since reconsideration requests are usually processed within 2 to 4 weeks, but can stretch to 60 days in busy embassies, you need a strategy:

Do not submit a reservation that expired last week. Officers see this as negligence. If your appeal takes longer than expected, request a fresh reservation from your provider—most services can reissue a new PNR within minutes, and the cost is minimal compared to a lost appeal.

3. Dates: Align with Your Appeal Narrative

The flight dates on your dummy ticket must tell a coherent story. If your appeal argues that you need to attend a business conference on 15 June, your outbound flight should arrive no later than 14 June, and your return should be after the event concludes. Irrational gaps—like booking a round trip that spans six months for a “one-week business visit”—will raise red flags.

1. Match your original application: If your first visa application stated a 10-day tourism trip, do not suddenly show a 45-day itinerary in the appeal without a written explanation.
2. Buffer days: Include at least one buffer day between your arrival and the first scheduled activity (e.g., conference, medical appointment) to account for jet lag or delays. Similarly, schedule your return 1–2 days after the last activity.
3. Seasonal logic: For tourist appeals, avoid booking flights during your home country’s major holidays unless you can justify why you would travel then. Officers often cross-check the plausibility of your chosen travel season.

Finally, note that the PNR confirmation page should display the booking date and ticketing deadline clearly. If the officer sees a reservation created three weeks ago but your appeal was filed yesterday, they may question why you waited. A well-timed, freshly issued dummy ticket demonstrates urgency and good faith—two qualities that weigh heavily in discretionary appeal decisions.

If you need the document itself, you can order a dummy ticket with PNR and attach the PDF to the rest of the application.

Comparison Table: Dummy Ticket vs. Real Booking vs. Refundable Fare for Visa Appeals

When preparing a visa appeal or reconsideration request, the documentation you attach for your intended travel dates carries significant weight. Reviewing officers typically cross-check your itinerary against your stated purpose of travel, financial capacity, and the timing of your proposed visit. Below is a practical comparison of the three common options, focusing on what matters most during an appeal: verifiability, cost exposure, and speed of correction if your hearing date shifts.

Key Differences at a Glance

Practical Guidance for Each Option

Dummy ticket (flight reservation with live PNR): This is usually your first move. After a refusal, you often have 14–28 days to file an appeal or reconsideration. A verifiable reservation from a reputable provider—one that holds a real seat for 7–14 days—lets you attach a current itinerary without locking up cash. Make sure the PNR is checkable on the airline's website, and request a re-issue if your appeal date shifts. The risk is minimal: if the embassy rejects the appeal, you lose only the small service fee.

Real booking (paid ticket): Choose this only when the appeal authority explicitly asks for proof of a purchased ticket, or when you are confident the visa will be granted (e.g., a minor documentation error). You must be prepared to lose the fare if the appeal fails. Keep the e-ticket receipt and the payment confirmation from your credit card statement, as both are often requested.

Refundable fare: This is the middle ground. Book a refundable ticket directly with the airline, pay with a credit card, and print the itinerary. Cancel within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund under most airline rules; after that, cancellation is usually free but may take 7–10 business days to process. This option is best when your appeal hearing is scheduled and you want to show good faith without risking the entire fare. Always confirm the refund policy in writing before purchase.

In practice, most experienced immigration consultants recommend starting with a dummy ticket for the initial appeal filing, then upgrading to a refundable fare only if the embassy requests a confirmed, ticketed itinerary. A real non-refundable booking is rarely necessary unless your appeal is for a country with strict "no reservation, no review" rules—check the specific embassy guidance first.

Step-by-Step: How to Order an Appeal Dummy Ticket from DummyTicketPrice.com

When you are preparing a visa appeal or reconsideration request, the itinerary you submit must hold up under direct verification. A dummy ticket purchased from DummyTicketPrice.com is not a PDF mock-up; it is a live airline reservation with a real PNR that an embassy can check. Here is the exact workflow from order to submission-ready document.

Step 1: Prepare Your Passenger and Route Details Before You Start

Have your passport details open in another tab before you begin. You will need the passenger’s full name exactly as printed on the passport, date of birth, and passport number. You will also need your intended travel dates and the complete route. For an appeal, do not change your travel plans from what you stated in the original application unless you have a documented reason (e.g., a new job offer letter). Inconsistencies between your first application and the appeal itinerary can trigger an automatic refusal.

Step 2: Select the Correct Product for an Appeal Submission

On the DummyTicketPrice.com booking page, choose the “Visa Appeal / Reconsideration” option if it is available, rather than the standard tourist visa option. The appeal variant typically comes with a longer validity window — usually 14 to 21 days — which matters because appeal processing is not immediate. A standard 48-hour hold may expire before the consulate even opens your file.

Step 3: Fill Out the Booking Form with Precision

Enter your departure and arrival cities using the IATA airport codes where possible (e.g., DEL for Delhi, LHR for London). Select your travel class — economy is sufficient for most appeal cases unless your original application specified business class. Input your travel dates. For appeals, it is usually safer to book a date at least 10 days out from your submission, giving the consulate time to verify the PNR during their working window.

Double-check the name spelling. A single letter mismatch between the passport and the airline reservation will cause the embassy to reject the document as fraudulent. Most rejections at this stage are not about the ticket itself but about name formatting errors.

Step 4: Complete Payment and Receive Your Documents

Payment is processed online via card or UPI, depending on your region. After payment, you will typically receive two emails within 10 minutes:

• The invoice receipt — a payment confirmation that you should retain for your own records, not for submission.
• The dummy ticket PDF — a one-page itinerary showing the airline, flight numbers, departure/arrival times, booking class, and the 6-character PNR code.

If the email does not arrive within 15 minutes, check your spam folder first. If it is not there, use the live chat support on the website — they can re-send the file within a few minutes during business hours.

Step 5: Verify the PNR Before You Submit the Appeal

Do not submit the ticket without independently verifying it. Go to the airline’s official website (the one whose flight appears on your itinerary) and locate the “Manage Booking” or “My Trips” section. Enter your surname and the 6-character PNR. The system should pull up your reservation. Screenshot this confirmation page — it is a powerful supporting document to attach with your appeal cover letter because it proves the reservation is live at the time of submission.

Step 6: Check the Validity Window Against Your Appeal Timeline

Below is a guide to how long your dummy ticket remains verifiable, depending on the product you selected:

If your appeal is likely to take longer than 21 days, contact customer support before ordering to request an extended hold. They can usually arrange this for an additional fee, but it must be set up at the time of purchase, not after the PNR expires.

Step 7: Download and Attach the Ticket to Your Appeal Package

Once verified, download the PDF and include it in your appeal submission. Most embassies now accept digital submissions via email or an online portal. If you are submitting a physical dossier, print the ticket in color on high-quality paper. The PNR must be clearly legible — do not reduce the size of the document to fit other paperwork. Keep the original PDF stored safely; you will need to reference the PNR number when the consulate calls the airline to confirm the reservation.

Finally, save the verification screenshot from Step 5 alongside the ticket. When you submit your appeal package, mention in your cover letter that the PNR is live and can be verified on the airline’s website. This small proactive step signals to the reviewing officer that your flight reservation is genuine and current, which strengthens the credibility of your entire appeal submission.

Related guide: How to Make a Dummy Ticket in 5 Minutes.

How to Draft a Persuasive Appeal Letter with Your Dummy Ticket as Evidence

When you appeal a visa refusal, the reviewing officer is not looking for a simple restatement of your original application. They want to see new, material evidence that addresses the specific grounds for refusal. Your dummy ticket—when framed correctly—can serve as that evidence, but only if the accompanying letter explains its significance clearly. A bare itinerary attached to a one-page note will rarely change a decision.

Step 1: Identify the Exact Refusal Grounds from Your 214(b) or Equivalent Notice

Before writing anything, locate the refusal letter (often Form I-294 for U.S. B1/B2 cases, or the UK’s refusal notice under Paragraph 320). Highlight the precise wording. If the officer cited “insufficient ties to your home country” or “travel history does not support intent to return,” your appeal letter must directly rebut that phrase—not just restate your employment letter. Your dummy ticket becomes persuasive only when it is tied to a concrete, time-bound event that requires you to return.

Step 2: Structure the Letter Around a “Return Anchor”

A strong appeal letter follows a logical sequence:

1. Opening paragraph: Reference your application reference number, refusal date, and the specific section of law cited.
2. Rebuttal section: Address each refusal ground with one piece of documentary evidence and one paragraph of explanation.
3. New evidence section: Introduce the dummy ticket as a “verifiable flight reservation” held under your name, with a live PNR that the consulate can check.
4. Home-ties integration: Show how the itinerary’s return date aligns with a fixed obligation (e.g., a medical appointment, a university term start, a business contract deadline).
5. Closing: Request reconsideration within a specific timeframe and offer to provide additional verification.

Step 3: Write the Dummy Ticket Paragraph with Precision

Do not say “I have booked a flight.” Instead, write: “I have arranged a hold on a confirmed return itinerary (PNR: ABC123) departing [home city] on [date] and returning on [date]. This reservation is currently verifiable via the airline’s booking system. The outbound and return dates are not arbitrary—they correspond to [specific event]. After that event, I am contractually obligated to resume my position at [employer name] on [date], as evidenced by the attached leave approval letter.” This phrasing does three things: it admits the ticket is a hold (not a paid fare), it gives the officer a reason to verify it, and it links the itinerary to a binding future obligation.

Step 4: Use a Table to Map Evidence to Refusal Grounds

Officers review dozens of appeals daily. A summary table at the top of your letter helps them quickly see how your dummy ticket and other documents answer their concerns.

Step 5: Timeframe and Submission Mechanics

Most appeal windows are short—usually 30 days from the refusal date for U.S. reconsideration requests, and typically 28 days for UK administrative review. Do not wait for a new dummy ticket to be issued if you already have one; the PNR validity usually lasts 7 to 14 days, which is enough time to file if you act immediately. If your ticket expires before the appeal is logged, order a new one with updated dates and re-print the letter. When submitting, attach the dummy ticket as a separate PDF (not embedded in the letter), and reference the PNR in the letter’s subject line. Send via the portal or courier with proof of delivery, and follow up by email after 5 business days if no acknowledgment is received.

Our guide to the proof of onward travel ticket explains why embassies ask for a reservation rather than a paid ticket.

Case Study: Reversing a Schengen Refusal Using a Dummy Ticket in an Appeal

In early 2024, a self-employed graphic designer from Mumbai—let’s call him R.K.—received a Schengen visa refusal from the German Embassy under Article 32(1)(b) of the Visa Code, citing “insufficient evidence of intention to leave the territory before the expiry of the visa.” His original application had included a fully paid, non-refundable flight itinerary from Mumbai to Frankfurt, with a return ticket to Mumbai 12 days later. The problem? He had purchased that ticket before the visa decision, and the consular officer suspected he might abandon the return leg and overstay.

R.K. decided to file a formal appeal with the Administrative Court in Berlin, as German visa refusals permit a legal challenge. He did not simply re-submit the same documents. Instead, he built a fresh evidentiary package around a new, verifiable flight reservation—a dummy ticket obtained specifically for the appeal—paired with a persuasive legal brief.

What He Changed in the Appeal Submission

The key move was replacing the old, paid ticket with a new dummy ticket visa appeal reservation that demonstrated a different travel pattern. The new itinerary showed a round-trip from Mumbai to Munich, with a 21-day stay, but crucially included a land border crossing to Switzerland by train on day 14, followed by a return flight from Zurich to Mumbai. This addressed the officer’s core concern: the appellant was not solely reliant on a single airline ticket for departure; he had an itinerary that showed active travel planning across multiple Schengen states.

The Appeal Letter Structure That Won

His attorney drafted a four-page appeal letter that referenced the dummy ticket’s live PNR (passenger name record) and explained its purpose transparently. The letter stated, “The enclosed flight reservation, verifiable via the airline’s booking system under PNR ABC123, is a provisional hold placed to demonstrate the applicant’s intended travel dates and return commitment. The applicant will purchase the ticket immediately upon visa issuance.” This honesty was critical—attempting to pass off a dummy ticket as a paid ticket would have destroyed credibility.

The letter also attached three supporting documents that made the dummy ticket effective:

• A client contract from a German company, dated after the refusal, showing a paid project requiring in-person meetings in Munich.
• A bank statement showing a new, earmarked savings deposit of €3,500 specifically for travel costs, with a notation matching the intended travel dates.
• A letter from his Swiss colleague confirming the train itinerary and accommodation arrangement in Zurich.

Why the Court Accepted the Dummy Ticket

The Administrative Court’s review officer did not penalize the use of a provisional reservation. In fact, the officer’s written decision noted that the appellant had “provided a coherent, verifiable travel plan that addressed the previous ambiguity regarding return.” The dummy ticket served its purpose because it was:

The appeal was upheld approximately 11 weeks after filing. R.K. received his Schengen visa for 30 days, and he later purchased the actual tickets matching the dummy reservation’s dates. The lesson is clear: a dummy ticket, when paired with an honest appeal letter and corroborating evidence, can reverse a refusal—but only if the reservation is verifiable and the surrounding narrative is consistent.

Related guide: Dummy Ticket for Jordan Visa: Flight Reservation Requirements, Process and Mistakes to Avoid.

7 Mistakes That Invalidate a Dummy Ticket in a Visa Appeal or Reconsideration

When you appeal a visa refusal, the reviewing officer is not casually glancing at your documents—they are actively looking for reasons to uphold the original decision. A flight reservation that would have passed initial screening can fail outright during reconsideration. Here are the seven most common mistakes that get dummy tickets rejected in appeals, and how to avoid each one.

1. An Unverifiable or Fictitious PNR

Appeal officers routinely check your PNR confirmation directly against the airline’s booking system. If your six-character code does not return a live booking record, your entire submission loses credibility. A genuine reservation hold—not a screenshot from a travel agency’s internal system—will show your name, flight numbers, and dates when queried. Before submitting, ask your provider for the airline’s own verification channel, such as the carrier’s website “Manage Booking” page, and confirm the PNR resolves correctly.

2. Mismatched Travel Dates Across Your Documents

Your appeal letter, hotel confirmation, travel insurance, and itinerary must all tell the same story. If your dummy ticket shows departure on March 10 but your hotel booking starts March 14, the officer will assume you fabricated the entire plan. Cross-check every date against your supporting documents before filing.

3. Passenger Name Mismatches

The name on the flight reservation must match your passport exactly—including middle names and spelling order. A reservation under “Jon Smith” when your passport reads “Jonathan A. Smith” is grounds for immediate rejection. Compare your PNR confirmation character-by-character against your passport bio page.

4. An Expired Booking Hold

Most airline fare holds last 24 to 72 hours, though some carriers extend to 7 or 14 days. If you ordered your dummy ticket a week before submitting your appeal, the PNR may have lapsed. Verify that your reservation is still active on the day you mail or upload your appeal packet. If it has expired, order a fresh one—do not submit a stale itinerary.

5. No Return Flight or Open-Jaw Itinerary

Appeal officers expect a round-trip structure that demonstrates your intent to leave the Schengen Area, UK, or US before your visa expires. A one-way flight reservation—or one with a multi-month gap between outbound and return—signals possible overstay risk. Your dummy ticket should show a coherent journey with a return date that aligns with your stated travel purpose.

6. Inconsistent Traveler Details

If you are appealing for a family visa, every accompanying family member must appear on the same PNR or on linked reservations. Submitting a dummy ticket that covers only the primary applicant while the appeal letter mentions a spouse and children creates an immediate red flag. Ensure the passenger count matches your application exactly.

7. Using an Unrealistic or Suspicious Route

A flight reservation with absurdly short connection times (e.g., 35 minutes at Heathrow), an illogical routing (Mumbai to Frankfurt via Dubai for a Germany visa), or a carrier known for frequent cancellations will invite scrutiny. Choose a straightforward itinerary on a major airline with realistic layover times of at least 90 minutes for international transfers.

The single most effective safeguard is to purchase your flight reservation from a reputable provider that issues a real, airline-verifiable PNR and provides confirmation within minutes—not a PDF generated by a script. A genuine booking hold, even one that expires after a few days, gives your appeal the evidentiary weight it needs. If your submission is delayed by more than a day, re-verify the PNR’s validity and reissue if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dummy Tickets for Visa Appeals and Reconsiderations

1. Is it legal to use a dummy ticket in a visa appeal or reconsideration request?

Using a dummy ticket—a genuine flight reservation that you hold but do not purchase—is legal in most jurisdictions when used correctly. The reservation itself is real: it exists in the airline's booking system with a valid PNR, and the airline will confirm it if contacted. What becomes problematic is misrepresenting that reservation as a paid, confirmed ticket when it is not, or submitting an expired itinerary. In an appeal context, you should be transparent that the reservation demonstrates your intended travel dates and itinerary, not proof of payment. If the consulate specifically requests proof of a purchased ticket, submit a refundable fare instead. Always check the specific embassy guidelines, as some countries prohibit any form of speculative booking in appeals.

2. How does the consulate verify my flight reservation during an appeal review?

Consular officers typically verify an itinerary by checking the PNR (Passenger Name Record) directly with the airline through the Global Distribution System (GDS) or the airline's reservation desk. They can see whether the booking is active, the exact flight numbers, dates, and fare class. They may also look for red flags like reservations made and cancelled repeatedly on the same day, or bookings with no seat assignment. During an appeal, the officer may call the airline's verification line, which is why your dummy ticket must have a live PNR that remains valid for at least 7–14 days after submission. If the PNR has expired or was cancelled, the officer will see this instantly, and it can undermine your entire appeal.

3. When should I order the dummy ticket relative to submitting my appeal?

Timing is critical. You should order your flight reservation only after you have drafted your appeal letter and gathered all supporting documents, but at least 48 hours before you plan to submit. This ensures the PNR is active when the consulate receives and begins reviewing your file. Most appeal windows are tight—typically 14 to 30 days from the refusal date, depending on the country. If you order too early, the reservation may expire before the officer reviews it. If you order too late, you risk missing the deadline. As a rule of thumb, aim for the reservation to remain valid for at least one week after your expected submission date. For appeals that require physical mailing, factor in shipping time so the PNR does not lapse in transit.

4. Can I reuse the same dummy ticket from my original application in the appeal?

Technically you can, but it is strongly discouraged. Reusing the same itinerary signals to the reviewing officer that you have not made any genuine effort to re-plan your trip, and it may appear that the original booking was never intended to be honoured. More importantly, if your original visa refusal was based on weak ties to your home country or unclear travel purpose, submitting the identical flight details does nothing to address those concerns. Instead, order a fresh itinerary that reflects any changes in your travel plans, such as extended dates or a different entry point. A new PNR also demonstrates that you have taken the appeal seriously and are prepared to travel if the visa is granted.

5. What is the cost difference between a dummy ticket and a refundable fare for an appeal?

A dummy ticket from a reputable provider typically costs between $7 and $20 per passenger, while a refundable fare can cost anywhere from $200 to over $1,500 depending on the route, airline, and fare class. Refundable tickets tie up significant capital on your credit card for weeks, and refunds can take 7–14 business days to process after you cancel. For an appeal, where the outcome is uncertain and you may need to rebook anyway, a dummy ticket is the cost-effective choice. However, if the consulate explicitly asks for proof of a paid ticket, or if your appeal is based on a misunderstanding where you can strongly argue the visa should be granted, investing in a refundable fare may strengthen your case. Weigh the visa value against the cost: for a multi-year Schengen visa, a refundable fare might be worth the expense.

6. What details should I check on my dummy ticket before attaching it to the appeal?

Before submitting, verify the following: your full name exactly as it appears on your passport (including middle names), the correct flight dates matching your appeal letter, the airline's name and flight numbers, and the PNR/booking reference. Ensure the reservation shows your name in the passenger field, not just "guest" or a placeholder. Confirm that the itinerary includes all segments of your journey—if you have a connecting flight, both legs should appear. Check the validity period stated on the PDF; it should be clear and not expired. Finally, ensure the ticket provider's verification instructions are included, such as the airline's phone number or website where the consulate can check the PNR. Any mismatch between your passport and the booking can trigger an automatic rejection.

One additional consideration: never submit a screenshot of a dummy ticket as your only evidence. Always provide the full PDF with the PNR clearly visible, and if possible, include the airline's verification phone number. Consular officers handling appeals are typically senior staff who have seen every type of fraudulent document—a clean, verifiable reservation from a reputable provider is your best defence against suspicion.