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Steps to take if you have been ripped-off by a copy-cat government website
Comments
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Once again you have decided not to tell us whether you made up that quote or not.Wealdroam,
I hope this makes clearer for you too."The Government, led by the Cabinet Office, is taking action to tackle rogue websites and is working with organisations such as the Advertising Standards Authority, the National Trading Standards Board, Which? and search engines, including Google, to raise awareness of this issue and to ensure enforcement action is taken where appropriate."
Anyway, that aside, it appears that the Government is working with others to raise awareness and take action where appropriate.
Of course it is right that they try to raise awareness.
Perhaps we will see more publicity suggesting people read the text on webpages to ensure they know exactly what they are buying. Maybe something like that you linked to in post #5 on this thread.
Remember, where Trading Standards urged:
No-one can argue that isn't the way to go.Jennifer Hampton, senior trading standards officer, advises checking that the site you use is not a third party agency before offering up payment details.
And yes of course action must be taken where appropriate.
That seems to me a little bit woolly.
Perhaps that really means "if we find a website acting illegally then we will take action", but I really don't know... just guessing.0 -
Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »Please quote your source, so others could cooberate it. As you continue to not give people the source of your duff gen, then we shall continue to state that your information regarding these service providers is inaccurate.
By the way, have you got your money back yet?
BoP,
I think you are losing interest in this thread. Please do not go away - come back here more often, you posts are so enchantingly refreshing to read.
Check this link, then you will come to know what I meant, and the quote you are asking.
Oh, by the way have you noticed the copycat ads from google have now completely disappeared. Lets hope it stays like that, shall we? :rotfl:0 -
Ah, I can now see that you are quoting 'a DVLA spokesman' as reported in The Telegraph.Wealdroam,
I hope this makes clearer for you too."The Government, led by the Cabinet Office, is taking action to tackle rogue websites and is working with organisations such as the Advertising Standards Authority, the National Trading Standards Board, Which? and search engines, including Google, to raise awareness of this issue and to ensure enforcement action is taken where appropriate."
Your selective quote missed the previous sentence where that same DVLA spokesman said:
...but we already knew that, didn't we?The Office of Fair Trading has ruled that websites which charge additional fees and services are not acting illegally.0 -
Your selective quote missed the previous sentence where that same DVLA spokesman said:
...but we already knew that, didn't we?
Yes, no one is denying the fact, they are indeed legally registered entities trading on unfair and misleading terms ....but I wouldn't bet my money too long on legality....0 -
Driving Licence Renewal - https://www.dvlalicensing.co.uk
Adwww.dvlalicensing.co.uk/
Apply Online Safely and Securely
First one that comes up as an ad on my parents' computer (I have adblock).
It hasn't lost its advertising spot.0 -
RosiPossum wrote: »Driving Licence Renewal - www.dvlalicensing.co.uk
Adwww.dvlalicensing.co.uk/
Apply Online Safely and Securely
First one that comes up as an ad on my parents' computer (I have adblock).
It hasn't lost its advertising spot.
Its difficult to explain, however - I will still try.
Google search display page is a like a big ad serving factory that makes lot of things on the fly.
Each search key words mean different thing to the factory and it takes time to filter and tackle specific adverts and accounts that causes issues to the public..
It is almost safe to say that passport and congestion charging has been tackled.
DVLA will soon be tackled as the exception to keyword structure is difficult to process.0 -
And your explanation is difficult to understand...because it's garbled.Its difficult to explain, however - I will still try.Google search display page is a like a big ad serving factory that makes lot of things on the fly.
Each search key words mean different thing to the factory and it takes time to filter and tackle specific adverts and accounts that causes issues to the public..
It is almost safe to say that passport and congestion charging has been tackled.
DVLA will soon be tackled as the exception to keyword structure is difficult to process.
You don't even appear to understand how a search engine works!
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/search-engine.htm
Search engines search for the key words - NOT the 'meaning' of the key words at all. So if one enters 'Driving licence renewal' into a search engine the engine looks for sites with those 'key words'!Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY"I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
Janice 1964-2016
Thank you Honey Bear0 -
And your explanation is difficult to understand...because it's garbled.
You don't even appear to understand how a search engine works!
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/search-engine.htm
Search engines search for the key words - NOT the 'meaning' of the key words at all. So if one enters 'Driving licence renewal' into a search engine the engine looks for sites with those 'key words'!
Oh, by the way, Valli it's keyword(s), not key words (or words that serve as keys to copycats for rip-ofF). :rotfl:0 -
Oh, by the way, Valli it's keyword(s), not key words (or words that serve as keys to copycats for rip-ofF). :rotfl:
Fine - I stand corrected. Keywords it is.
and yet...Its difficult to explain, however - I will still try.
Google search display page is a like a big ad serving factory that makes lot of things on the fly.
Each search key words mean different thing to the factory and it takes time to filter and tackle specific adverts and accounts that causes issues to the public..
It is almost safe to say that passport and congestion charging has been tackled.
DVLA will soon be tackled as the exception to keyword structure is difficult to process.
All I've done is enlarge what YOU posted.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
The irony!Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY"I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily DickinsonJanice 1964-2016
Thank you Honey Bear0 -
As hpuse cannot corroborate his statement that the Government has instructed google to remove the ads, I shall tell you what is the case and what has been agreed between Google and the Governemnt.
For all advertisements on our search page, we have strict rules. They must not mislead or deceive in any way. We provide a number of methods for users and agencies to report advertisements that they believe are misleading or deceptive and we quickly take action in response.
For those websites that offer services related to Government or official services, such as sites advertising services related to passport services, we have further strict rules.
Our rules are designed to allow services that offer a legal and additional value. For example, although you can fill in your passport application form yourself at no cost, you can pay a small fee at your local Post Office and they will check that you have filled it out correctly. That would be an additional service which would not breach our rules on advertising. Instead, our rules are designed to tackle those who are simply mimicking official services with no added value. So, for example, if someone tried to charge a fee for an official document that was actually free, we would not allow them to advertise on our service.
Websites also have to set out exactly what it is they are selling, and make it clear that services are available from the official source at a lower cost or for free.
Our rules are clear: those who advertise on Google cannot promote services that provide little or no additional value to the user beyond the original or official online or automated application process. We take action against those sites that are offering no additional value by removing them from our ad results including copycat passport, tax return and London congestion charge websites.
Recent action on this issue
Both Government Digital Service and Transport for London have been giving us detailed information to clarify what is or isn’t currently provided by official Government services. This has helped us to identify which sites are genuinely offering added value services and which are not. We have already been able to remove misleading advertisements for sites for London congestion charge websites, and we will continue to work with the Government Digital Service to tackle any misleading advertisements for other Government services.
So hpuse, they have not directed them to remove them, they have removed the ones that contravene that policy based on the new information provided by the GDS0
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