[iamtew]

They don't seem to do the check when you apply. Years ago I fat-fingered my passport number, the ESTA went through fine, but I was refused at the airport due to my typo.

I had to make a new one on the spot, was no problem, but it seems that they will just approve the ESTA when applying for it, and then later refuse you if they want.

[dx034]

They sometimes check. My last two ESTA renewals took 1 day because of some manual checks. Went through in the end. Know others who had the same experience so I guess they are performing some background checks.

[koolba]

It'd be very funny if all of this boils down to him having a typo entering his info.

[fnordfnordfnord]

So the lesson is apply for ESTA as late as possible?