You'll need to pay to be part of PreCheck, and you will need to be eligible, which means meeting requirements like being a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. However, if you sign up for PreCheck, you can reap many benefits.
For example, you can visit a separate security line at any of the 200+ airports nationwide that have specialized PreCheck lanes. You can also avoid having to take off your belt, lightweight jacket, or outerwear. Removing your 3-1-1 compliant liquid bag and laptop from the bag is also optional.
While TSA PreCheck became a little less valuable once the Transportation Security Administration reversed course and allowed travelers to clear security without removing their shoes, TSA PreCheck still offers benefits worth paying for.
You do, however, have to be careful during the signup process. In fact, the Transportation Safety Administration just issued a serious and important warning about PreCheck signups.
On July 25, 2025, TSA issued an important warning on Facebook about signing up for the expedited security benefits on offer with PreCheck. Specifically, the TSA posted, "Signing up for TSA PreCheck? Make sure you're using a safe and trusted .gov website."
The TSA also provided the link you will need: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck.
The TSA issued this important warning because scammers have tried to trick travelers into giving up some of their most important and most sensitive personal data by making them believe they are signing up for TSA PreCheck.
The warning from the TSA was a necessary one because dishonest actors have impersonated TSA PreCheck websites or officials.
The Federal Trade Commission has a detailed explanation of the type of scam TSA warned about.
"No one likes waiting in airport security lines. To speed things up, some people opt to get TSA PreCheck. Scammers know this and send emails that look like they're from TSA PreCheck — but they’re not," the FTA website states. "The emails want you to click a link that takes you to a scam website that only looks like the official site — but it’s not."
Unfortunately, the FTC explained that many people who fall for this kind of scam don't even know it until they have already paid a scammer money and provided them with their details. Then they show up at the airport expecting to sail through security, but it doesn't happen.
How you can heed the TSA's warning about PreCheck signups
Travelers are urged to listen to the TSA's warnings about PreCheck so they don't find themselves victims of a TSA PreCheck scam. Fortunately, the FTC has some advice:
Not clicking links in emails you receive unexpectedly, even if the mail looks professional
Not allowing yourself to rush through the process. If you are facing pressure to pay fast, you're probably dealing with a scammer
Start at the tsa.gov/precheck website yourself so you don't accidentally go to the wrong place.
By following the TSA's advice, you can keep your data from being exposed, safely get signed up for TSA PreCheck, and have a great next trip, without worrying about your Social Security number and other personal details being misused by clever scammers.
https://www.thestreet.com/author/christy-rakoczy
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