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A Buyer’s Guide to Identify Fake ESA Letters (Before and After Purchase)
To spot a fake ESA letter, check for a licensed mental health professional’s signature, official letterhead with contact details, and personalized content. Always ensure your provider connects you with a licensed mental health professional. A legitimate ESA letter brings peace of mind and legal protection for you and your emotional support animal.
Medically Reviewed by
Robert Clendenin, MD
The increasing popularity of emotional support animals (ESAs) has unfortunately led to a rise in fraudulent ESA letters. These fake documents can cause significant problems for ESA owners. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to identify the red flags of an ESA letter and protect yourself from scams.
When Will My ESA Letter Be Considered Fake?
An ESA letter is a document written and signed by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) that states you have a mental or emotional disability and that your animal is necessary for your mental health or treatment. However, if it does not come from an LMHP whose state license is verifiable, it is potentially considered fake.
Potential Red Flags To Identify a Fake ESA Letter (Before Applying).
1. Promises Of Quick Turnaround
The process of issuing an ESA letter generally takes time. It requires a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) to evaluate factors like your mental or emotional wellness, the challenges you face in daily life, and how an ESA can help you. These steps cannot be completed instantly. Many professionals state that they usually take at least 24 to 48 hours to reach a conclusion. If you find a service claiming to offer an instant ESA letter, it is likely fake.
2. Promises Of Cheap Rates
Extremely low prices are another sign of a scam. Such services may initially provide you with a letter and later charge additional fees. Always remember that an ESA letter comes from a licensed doctor who spends time on the evaluation. If there is involvement of an online service, they may charge a fee as well for connecting you to the provider and after-sales service. Usually, the average cost of an ESA letter is around $149 to $199, depending on the service you choose.
3. Lack Of Customer Support
Nowadays, most ESA letter providers operate through online websites where you can ask for assistance through their customer service. If you ever come across a website selling the service but not listing any method (phone, email, or live chat) to reach them, it is likely a fake service.
4. Offers a “Registry” or Certification
Another red flag to look for is sites that offer ESA registry or certification. Remember, such items are considered accessories and do not hold any legal weight. Also, there is no government database for ESAs where you can register them.
Potential Red Flags to Identify a Fake ESA Letter (After Approval).
1. The Letter Issued Without Assessment
Always remember that you can only get approval for an ESA letter after a thorough assessment by a doctor. If the service you have chosen claims that you have been approved without even connecting you to a doctor, it is likely a scam. Additionally, some websites use medical intake forms to collect details about your medical condition. These intake forms are later used by the doctor for assessment, which can be considered a legitimate method.
2. Missing Licensed Mental Health Professional’s Credentials
If the letter you received does not have the credentials of a licensed mental health professional, this is another sign of a fake service or doctor. The credentials should include the professional’s name, signature, license number with valid period, state of jurisdiction, NPI number, contact information, and title.
3. Lack Of Assistance With Verification
This is a crucial factor that the company should be able to assist with. An ESA letter is not valid if it is unverifiable. A landlord may choose one of several methods to verify the letter, including phone verification, email verification, pet screening, and reasonable accommodation forms. If the doctor or company cannot verify using any of these methods, it is not legitimate.
4. Missing Letterhead
According to HUD guidelines, an ESA letter should be on the professional’s official letterhead. This is one of the key indicators of legitimacy. If it is missing, it is a red flag.
5. Immediate Approval
This point connects to the first point. If the letter is approved immediately after you apply, be cautious. ESA letters can never be issued without a detailed assessment.
How to Avoid a Potential Scam?
1. Always Go For a Trusted Provider
To avoid a potential scam, choose a provider with a good reputation. You can visit online directories where doctors’ credentials are listed. Many online businesses, like Fast ESA Letter, offer a 100% money-back guarantee, which symbolizes the trustworthiness of the business.
2. Ask For Recommendations
If you are not comfortable with internet searches, ask for recommendations from friends, family, or even your primary health care providers. Online communities can also be a great help. You can find people who have experience obtaining ESA letters on forums like Reddit, Quora, and Facebook.
3. Check Testimonials From Previous Customers
If you find a business that you believe can help, look for reviews and testimonials from previous customers to ensure the provider is reliable and trustworthy.
4. Seek In-Person Recommendations
Getting a recommendation from licensed mental health professionals in person ensures that the letter is 100% legitimate. However, this method is time-consuming and may require multiple appointments to get approval. Additionally, it can be a challenge to find a provider with experience in providing ESA recommendations.
5. Look For Transparency
The final factor to look for is transparency. This applies to the provider’s application process, payment methods, costs, eligibility criteria, and the policies they adhere to. A trustworthy provider will be open and clear about their methods. Shady businesses often have hidden costs that you are not aware of initially, and they rarely list their policies clearly.
What Problems Come With a Fake ESA Letter?
A fake ESA letter can hurt you mentally, financially, and legally. But scammers do not worry about any of that. It is solely your responsibility to be cautious when choosing a service provider. Here are the potential problems you may encounter if you present an illegal document to your landlord:
1. Legal Consequences
If a landlord succeeds in proving that your letter is not legitimate, they may file a case against you for misrepresenting your pet as an ESA. This may result in fines and legal actions. Every state has different punishments for falsifying emotional support animals, so it is better to avoid getting a fake document.
2. Housing Issues
If the landlord becomes aware that you hold a letter from an illegal provider, they may refuse your request for reasonable accommodation. If you are already a tenant, you may receive an eviction notice or be asked to pay pet fees and security deposits.
3. Emotional Distress
ESA letters are meant for those who are already facing challenges in living a normal life. They provide hope to people with disabilities. If you are caught with a fake letter, it can negatively impact your mental health and worsen your condition.
4. Financial Loss
As described above, a recommendation from a fake service provider can hurt you financially. You may end up paying a significant amount of money to the service provider. If the landlord refuses to accept it, you will have to pay a security fee, fines for falsifying an ESA, and, in the worst-case scenario, if you’re evicted from the place, you may incur additional costs in finding a new place to live.
5. Loss of Support and Trust
For your landlord, your emotional support animal may be just a pet. But for you, it is your world. If you are caught with a fake ESA letter, they may demand the eviction of your pet, especially if the landlord has a no-pet policy. Additionally, it can damage your credibility with landlords and other legal authorities.
Steps to Take if You Have a Fake ESA Letter
1. Discontinue Use
We understand that it is not possible for everyone to be aware that fake ESA doctors exist on the internet. Many people unwillingly enroll in such services. If you are one of them, the first thing you should do is stop using the fake letter immediately. This can save you from legal or other consequences.
2. Report the Scam
It would be a good idea to report the business. Online platforms like BBB, Yelp, and Scamadvisor can be good places to start. You can also inform the relevant authorities about the scam to prevent others from falling victim.
3. Seek a Legitimate ESA Letter
The next step is to find a trusted provider for the job. Use your experience to find a legitimate doctor who can issue a genuine ESA letter. This ensures you receive the proper support and avoid further complications.
Conclusion
The rise in emotional support animals has led to an increase in fake ESA letters. Therefore, it is crucial to protect yourself from online frauds offering fake ESA letters for profit. Before choosing a service, take the time to research and verify its legitimacy. This way, you can ensure that you will enjoy the company of your emotional support animal without any hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Online ESA Letters Legitimate?
Yes! If your ESA letter provider is licensed by the state you live in, then your letter is legitimate. Its legitimacy remains unchanged regardless of whether you acquired it online or offline. The authenticity lies in the credibility of the professional issuing the letter. Licensing ensures that the doctor has undergone the necessary training and adheres to ESA laws. When searching for online ESA letter services, it’s crucial to prioritize companies with licensed mental health professionals.
How Can I Tell If An ESA Letter is Fake?
A social worker must be licensed to recommend an emotional support animal to an individual with disability. Ask your social worker if they can write an ESA letter before paying any fee. You can consult Fast ESA Letter to get a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional.
Is It Illegal To Use a Fake ESA Letter?
Yes, using a fake ESA letter can result in legal consequences, including fines and potential denial of housing accommodations. It also undermines the credibility of genuine ESA letters and can harm those with legitimate needs.
How Do I Report a Fraudulent Online ESA Letter Service?
If you discover that your ESA letter company is providing fake letters to people, or if you suspect an ESA letter’s online legitimacy, you can report it to the legal authorities. You can report any concerns or suspected fraudulent activity to the U.S. Department of Justice. They can investigate and take appropriate action. The DOJ provides an online form for submitting complaints. Visit their official website for instructions and forms to submit your complaint electronically. After submitting your complaint, consider following up with the DOJ to ensure they received it and to inquire about the status of your complaint if necessary.
Can Landlords Verify The Authenticity Of An ESA Letter?
Yes, landlords can verify the authenticity of an ESA letter by contacting the issuing licensed mental health professional or medical provider to confirm its validity.
Why Is It Important For An ESA Letter To Have The Healthcare Provider’s License Number?
Including the healthcare provider’s license number ensures that the letter is issued by a licensed professional, making it easier to verify its authenticity.
How Can I Avoid Falling For An ESA Letter Scam?
To avoid ESA letter scams, ensure that the service connects you with a licensed professional, check reviews, and verify the professional’s credentials through state licensing boards.
Post Author
Prince Sharma
Prince Sharma is a content manager with a passion for reading, design, and cats. When he's not working, he enjoys discovering new design trends or relaxing with a good book and his furry friends.
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