Steps to take if you have been ripped-off by a copy-cat government website
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hpuse
Posts: 1,117 Forumite
Official MSE Insert: Please read our recent News story: Extra Cash to tackle Copycat Government Websites and our Copycat websites guide
Plus watch this Trading Standards Youtube video:
Back to the original post...
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Please note: This post is aimed at the best interest of a consumer, who are concerned and has lost money to government copycat websites in operations. This is NOT a definitive guide to secure a refund:
Update 10-March-2015
There is a company called British Passport Services sending court claims and winning default judgement against people who have clicked their copycat websites. This matter is currently being investigated by trading standards and other agencies. If you happened to receive a court claims form, please do not ignore it. Check this link and contact your local CAB.
Steps to follow is anyone ended up losing money 'by not reading t&c's/small prints of any of the websites mentioned in this thread. Please do the following.
As a first step :
Write/e-mail to the company requesting a full refund.
Click this link for a sample template letter (thanks to the poster MJMH).
Please make sure you insert the correct details of the copycat website you used.
If you did manage to get a refund, please still make a complaint see below section b) and c)
Second Step:
a) Call the bank or credit card company and tell them you would like open a complaint in reference to a transaction. Please do not ask them for a refund, it is likely to be refused. You have to start a dispute process and do the necessary paper works. You also have to show evidences to the bank to consider your case individually.
By presenting evidences, it will help the bank to realise the conning nature of this copycat website in trade. Please make sure you are speaking with the banks dispute department.
Give all the details of the transactions including date/time, website name and personal/email address and correspondences received when complained to the company(first step).
Before opening a dispute, the bank will expect you to sort this matter out(step a) directly with the trader. If you have already done so, they will ask for copies all correspondences you have had with the company. You will also have to sign a dispute form which you can email or post it back to the dispute department.
In your letter with the signed dispute form, please add that you have strong reasons to believe that these websites are designed to rip-off customers with terms and conditions for not reading while clicking. You may also add that it has come to your notice from various media/newspaper articles that Trading Standards and Advertising Standards Authority are investigating against these government website copycat practice. Please send this to them by post or email and make sure they have received. Give them 14 days to investigate and respond.
b) Call the appropriate trading standards consumer advise line of the region you reside. Give full detailed account of this online transaction and circumstances you think that lead to purchasing the service online. You can also make a complaint online by clicking this link.
c) Make a complaint with Advertising Standards Authority. In your complaint mention very clearly that the website is misleading its service by using "passport application" in their online advertising labels. They are hiding the fact that that they are only a human proxy "information handling back office agents" transferring details once submitted from their website to the real HMPO website, and there is no "application handling" as such.
You can also make an ASA complaint online by clicking here
EDIT:
http://www.tradingstandardsecrime.org.uk/online-shopping-fraud/
EDIT
EDIT:
BBC News on copycats
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26082913
EDIT
Plus watch this Trading Standards Youtube video:
Back to the original post...
----
Please note: This post is aimed at the best interest of a consumer, who are concerned and has lost money to government copycat websites in operations. This is NOT a definitive guide to secure a refund:
Update 10-March-2015
There is a company called British Passport Services sending court claims and winning default judgement against people who have clicked their copycat websites. This matter is currently being investigated by trading standards and other agencies. If you happened to receive a court claims form, please do not ignore it. Check this link and contact your local CAB.
Steps to follow is anyone ended up losing money 'by not reading t&c's/small prints of any of the websites mentioned in this thread. Please do the following.
As a first step :
Write/e-mail to the company requesting a full refund.
Click this link for a sample template letter (thanks to the poster MJMH).
Please make sure you insert the correct details of the copycat website you used.
If you did manage to get a refund, please still make a complaint see below section b) and c)
Second Step:
a) Call the bank or credit card company and tell them you would like open a complaint in reference to a transaction. Please do not ask them for a refund, it is likely to be refused. You have to start a dispute process and do the necessary paper works. You also have to show evidences to the bank to consider your case individually.
By presenting evidences, it will help the bank to realise the conning nature of this copycat website in trade. Please make sure you are speaking with the banks dispute department.
Give all the details of the transactions including date/time, website name and personal/email address and correspondences received when complained to the company(first step).
Before opening a dispute, the bank will expect you to sort this matter out(step a) directly with the trader. If you have already done so, they will ask for copies all correspondences you have had with the company. You will also have to sign a dispute form which you can email or post it back to the dispute department.
In your letter with the signed dispute form, please add that you have strong reasons to believe that these websites are designed to rip-off customers with terms and conditions for not reading while clicking. You may also add that it has come to your notice from various media/newspaper articles that Trading Standards and Advertising Standards Authority are investigating against these government website copycat practice. Please send this to them by post or email and make sure they have received. Give them 14 days to investigate and respond.
b) Call the appropriate trading standards consumer advise line of the region you reside. Give full detailed account of this online transaction and circumstances you think that lead to purchasing the service online. You can also make a complaint online by clicking this link.
c) Make a complaint with Advertising Standards Authority. In your complaint mention very clearly that the website is misleading its service by using "passport application" in their online advertising labels. They are hiding the fact that that they are only a human proxy "information handling back office agents" transferring details once submitted from their website to the real HMPO website, and there is no "application handling" as such.
You can also make an ASA complaint online by clicking here
EDIT:
http://www.tradingstandardsecrime.org.uk/online-shopping-fraud/
EDIT
EDIT:
BBC News on copycats
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26082913
EDIT
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/10130861/Martin-Lewis-In-support-of-stupid-peoples-rights.htmlMartin Lewis's Blog:
Martin Lewis: In support of stupid people's rights
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Comments
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There is no misrepresentation. All of these websites state clearly on their opening page that they are not the official sites and that you can get the same service from the official site, the fact that people are willing to use these websites without even reading what is in front of them does not make them as scam. People need to take responsibility for their own actions.
The top 3 sponsored links from google:
https://www.passport-uk.co.uk/Our services are not in any way affiliated with any UK Government body including HM Passport Office. We provide a reviewing and submitting service for all UK passport applications charging a service processing fee. You can apply autonomously to HM Passport Office , avoiding costs for checking and processing, by logging on to their authorised website. Please read our Terms and Conditions before using our website and services.
http://www.passport.uk.com/?gclid=CO...FQkEwwodbzgAUAA similar checking service can be obtained from a Post Office at a reduced fee or you can apply without a checking service where there will be no checking fee payable. We are not affiliated with Post Office, IPS or any government body.
http://www.passports-office.co.uk/This website is not affiliated with identity and passport service from which similar information is available for free.
How much clearer do you need it to be. Flashing lights and neon colours perhaps?
Surely the fact that they don't even look like official sites should give people reason to read exactly what service they are being offered?Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0 -
peachyprice wrote: »There is no misrepresentation. All of these websites state clearly on their opening page that they are not the official sites and that you can get the same service from the official site, the fact that people are willing to use these websites without even reading what is in front of them does not make them as scam. People need to take responsibility for their own actions.
There is no misrepresentation if their website clearly states "personal information handling for an online application service" on the tin.
So that makes them an "online service that exists for another online" service, which is misrepresentation.0 -
There is no misrepresentation if their website clearly states "personal information handling for an online application service" on the tin.
So that makes them an "online service that exists for another online" service, which is misrepresentation.
In your opinion. Clearly though not the opinion of Trading Standards or ASA.Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0 -
peachyprice wrote: »In your opinion. Clearly though not the opinion of Trading Standards or ASA.
FYI, not exacltly as you 'think' about 'opinions' (this is from another thread)
http://www.glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk/news/local-headlines/trading-standards-warning-over-scam-passport-sites-1-3238263Jennifer Hampton, senior trading standards officer, advises checking that the site you use is not a third party agency before offering up payment details.
She said: “Most of these sites do tell you that the service they are providing is available for free elsewhere.
“They also state clearly that they are exempt from distance selling regulations as they are providing an immediate service.
“However, that does not mean they are operating legally, or that you are not entitled to a refund.”0 -
FYI, not exacltly as you 'think' about 'opinions' (this is from another thread)
http://www.glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk/news/local-headlines/trading-standards-warning-over-scam-passport-sites-1-3238263
Jennifer Hampton, senior trading standards officer, advises checking that the site you use is not a third party agency before offering up payment details.
She said: “Most of these sites do tell you that the service they are providing is available for free elsewhere.
“They also state clearly that they are exempt from distance selling regulations as they are providing an immediate service.
“However, that does not mean they are operating legally, or that you are not entitled to a refund.”
And equally that does not mean the aren't operating legally.Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0 -
FYI, not exacltly as you 'think' about 'opinions' (this is from another thread)
http://www.glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk/news/local-headlines/trading-standards-warning-over-scam-passport-sites-1-3238263
And now have another read of the very first line of that paragraph that you have selectively chosen to quote from a Scottish newspaper.
It's worth repeating... here it is again:Jennifer Hampton, senior trading standards officer, advises checking that the site you use is not a third party agency before offering up payment details.
Hpuse, I can only guess you didn't notice that the first time.0 -
Don't be silly Wealdroam, you cant expect people to do that for themselves.Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0
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If anyone ended up paying money to any of the websites mentioned in this thread please do the following.
As a first step :
Write to the company requesting a refund. Clearly tell them you are not happy purchasing their mis-represented and potentially misleading service offered online. In you letter, clearly mention that you will be filing a dispute of this transaction unless a refund is issued within 7 days. Please keep copies of all emails and replies received. Give them 7 days to reply or refund. If a refund did not happen, then proceed to second step.
Second Step:
a) Call the bank or credit card company and tell them you would like open a dispute. Give all the details of the transactions including date/time, website name and personals/email address and correspondences received when complained to the company(first step). If required, they will ask for copies all correspondences you have had with this company.
b) Call the appropriate trading standards consumer advise line of the region you reside. Give full detailed account of this online transaction and circumstances you think that lead to purchasing the service online.
I will add few letter templates later so that you can "copy-paste" and insert relevant details in your email/letter.
This post is seriously mis-leading.
I've asked Hpuse on another thread to comment about this in the Daily Mail:Judith Martinez, 69, a widow from Greenford, West London, was also duped by the passportdirect website.
Two months ago, she paid it £69 for the renewal of her passport and realised her mistake too late. Her bank refused to refund her money while passportdirect stonewalled her emails.
Presumably, this person's bank did not see this transaction as fraudulent, so what is the point of 'second step a)?
Numerous posters on other threads have told Hpuse that his suggestion of raising a dispute is unlikely to work.
Some of these websites do offer a full refund and some offer a refund less an admin fee (others say they won't refund at all).
The ones that do offer a refund clearly say on their website what the process is for applying for a refund.
If you take Hpuse's advice (as a 'first step') and don't follow their process, you may not get your refund at all.0 -
The ones that do offer a refund clearly say on their website what the process is for applying for a refund.
If you take Hpuse's advice (as a 'first step') and don't follow their process, you may not get your refund at all.
Agreed, the Banks Cust Rep could turn round and say well follow the process to get a refund outlined in the T&C's.0 -
Call the appropriate trading standards consumer advise line of the region you reside.
Waste loads of tax payers money because you didn't read something, wonderful idea!0
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