email warning notice

[tearinghair]

I've just received an email entitled ESTA system expiration warning. Haven't opened it as I don't know what it means; could someone help please? I'd have thought 'expiry' was better English than 'expiration' so am wondering whether it's a potential virus from abroad.

[MrsLeeG]

Have you ever had a visa for travelling in America?

[johnk]

It's probably a scam. If you dn't know what ESTA is ignore it.

[razza]

If you think it is unsafe delete without opening.

[MrsLeeG]

sorry i didnt mean to press submit.

If you have ever had a visa they sometimes send you a warning email to tell you it is about to expire and it says ESTA system expiration.

[tearinghair]

Yes Mrs LeeG, the usual visa-waiver for which I had to fill in an online form a couple of years ago. It could well be due to expire. It would also explain the odd English! Thank you very much.

[Hopkirk]

MrsLeeG is on the right track

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

[MrsLeeG]

you'll be fine to open it then x

[factor-fiction]

Someone may correct me on this but I thought viruses came from opening attachments rather than just opening the email itself, although if it is spam it's best not to open it as that tells the spammer that they have hit a genuine email address so you may get more.
If ou hover over the sender it may show a genuine looking (but possibly spoofed) email address , or it may show an east European or clearly rogue email address in which case you'll know it's not genuine.

[MrsLeeG]

i agree, i would always open the email but not the attachment. Never had a virus yet!

[tearinghair]

Thanks for your answers everyone.

[AlBags]

Wish I had the time to worry about every unknown email I received.

[tearinghair]

I asked the question, Albags,because it looked as though it might be important and I didn't want to risk deleting something I should deal with. I didn't recognise the sender because it's two years since i applied for the visa waiver. My first reaction was to do precisely what the first few answerers advised. I'm sorry if you think it was unnecessary - it was important to me to be sure.

[etbombhead]

You require an ESTA to travel to the USA. You have to pay now, they used to be free, however they do expire and although mine is still in date it runs out in 2012. I suggest you check on your expiry and act accordingly if you are planning to go to the USA.

[tearinghair]

Following advice earlier on the thread, whih suggested that it would be safe to open, I did that. It's exactly waht you say; due to expire now in three weeks. I may be going to USA at the end of October, but I don't have particular flights in mind yet so perhaps it's too early to renew.