EHIC Scam website www.ehic.org

morzov

Scottish person - You are quite right I should have typed https://www.eu-healthcard.com

But the rest of the post is correct. According to the website it's run by EHIC Ltd. That is a UK registered company - now dissolved.

Its not relevant whether they are physically based in Belgium or not.In order to get on the DP register and to validate their status they claim to be a UK registered company -which they are not - and even after being told that fact the Data Protection people won't act.

Obviously DP won't be able to enforce any breach of data protection law against EHIC Ltd because legally it doesn't exist and in any event they do not know who is behind the website. And given that they are fraudsters one has to assume the worst about what they do with the data they have harvested.

The warnings etc on the website might be relevant if they actually passed details on to the NHS so an EHIC card was provided but they don't do that. They just keep the money.

Fazered36

I also went to a website with a very similar name after googling EHIC. I was charged £14.99 and the service is not covered by the distance selling regulations so there is nothing I can do but warn others. The card is free DO NOT PAY FOR IT :mad: GRRRRRR

scottishperson2

morzov wrote: »

Scottish person - You are quite right I should have typed www.eu-healthcard.com

But the rest of the post is correct. According to the website it's run by EHIC Ltd. That is a UK registered company - now dissolved.

Its not relevant whether they are physically based in Belgium or not.In order to get on the DP register and to validate their status they claim to be a UK registered company -which they are not - and even after being told that fact the Data Protection people won't act.

Obviously DP won't be able to enforce any breach of data protection law against EHIC Ltd because legally it doesn't exist and in any event they do not know who is behind the website. And given that they are fraudsters one has to assume the worst about what they do with the data they have harvested.

The warnings etc on the website might be relevant if they actually passed details on to the NHS so an EHIC card was provided but they don't do that. They just keep the money.

Again that is not true. The website is legit. If you look at others who have posted about this company then you will find that they do actually provide the card. These people run a LOT of websites offering the same thing, example applyehic.org. From what I can remember the owner is actually based in Australia, and uses anonymous PrivacyProtect.org to register sites. That last statement should be enough to set alarm bells ringing.

I cannot see where they claim to be a UK registered company. I can, however, see where they are on the data protection register.

Registration Number: Z3026639
Date Registered: 27 January 2012 Registration Expires: 26 January 2013

Data Controller: EHIC LIMITED

Address:

BPM NR. 25126
3 RUE DES DEUX LUXEMBOURG
B-6791 ATHUS
BELGIUM

Other Names:
EHIC

You stated

morzov wrote: »

The address for correspondence on the website is in Luxembourg

Is incorrect

morzov wrote: »

the site lists that it is registered with the Data Protection

Which it is.

morzov wrote: »

But the rest of the post is correct.

So, is untrue.

They are not fraudsters, although there business model, IMO, is unethical.

You may also want to read http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-enforcement/consumer-enforcement-completed/EHIC-cards/

morzov

If you are going to "correct" my post please get your facts right

1. Website footer lists EHIC Ltd. The abbreviation "Ltd" refers to a UK limited company. If the Data controller's address wasn't in the UK then a UK representatives address must be supplied https://www.ico.gov.uk/onlinenotification/

2. Action Fraud confirmed that the transaction was a fraud plus no card ever turned up.

scottishperson2

morzov wrote: »

1. Website footer lists EHIC Ltd. The abbreviation "Ltd" refers to a UK limited company.

I'm sure no-one in australia will agree with that.

http://www.asx.com.au/asx/research/listedCompanies.do

The footer is a generic one that this company puts on all their websites.

morzov wrote: »

If the Data controller's address wasn't in the UK then a UK representatives address must be supplied https://www.ico.gov.uk/onlinenotification/

Actually, no, it doesn't say that. It says

If the Data Controller address above is outside the UK or any other EEA state

As far as I am aware belgium is still in the EEA.

morzov wrote: »

2. Action Fraud confirmed that the transaction was a fraud plus no card ever turned up.

You quoted the wrong web-site to them. If no card has turned up then go to your credit card company and complain. Action Fraud cannot call it a "complete scam" as others have had cards delivered. EHIC Limited are known to the OFT as well. Whether OFT takes action against them is down to the OFT.

Only legitimate complaint you have is the card hasn't turned up. Do a search, even on this forum, and you'll find people have had the cards delivered.

You may wish to read this

http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-enforcement/consumer-enforcement-completed/EHIC-cards/

So either keep digging a bigger hole for yourself or

1) complain to your credit card company as the EHIC card hasn't turned up

2) go to the NHS site and get the correct link from there. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

3) complain to the OFT (this will get you nowhere as the site seems to comply with their guidelines) These are the warning on the main page of the website you visited:-

EHIC supplied free by NHS - you just pay for us to check and send

Applying for the card directly from the NHS is free and it is valid for up to five years. The application checking services available from the Post Office and this web site incur a small administrative charge.

By Telephone - You can telephone the NHS Business Services Authority EHIC Application Line on 0845 606 2030. There is no charge to make an application by phone, but you will have to pay for the cost of the call.

From NHSBSA - The NHSBSA site (www.ehic.org.uk) is usually available every day for 16 hours but cannot be used between 23.00 hrs and 07.00 hrs. If you prefer to log in during the hours that this site is open and are prepared to check the information yourself, these applications can be made without cost.

You can apply independently and free of charge for a European Health card by visiting the official site

So thats 5 times in the first page its told you, now at the bottom of the main page where it states

Please read

Click and read

LEGAL

This website is owned and operated by a private company. We are not affiliated in any way with the NHS or the Department of Health. As part of our own ethical trading standards, and to ensure absolute fairness for our customers, we ask that you read the following information prior to placing your order.

For the avoidance of any doubt, we are not part of the NHS, NHSBA, Department of Health or any UK Government body.

Our service, as detailed elsewhere on this website and in our terms and conditions, is to check EHIC application forms for errors, communicate with our customers to correct any such errors, and send the checked and/or amended application to the NHSBA.

We do not issue EHIC cards ourselves. If you place an order with us you will receive your EHIC card – provided that you are eligible to receive one – from the NHSBA.

Our fee is charged solely to cover the administrative cost of offering a checking service for EHIC applications. There is no requirement on customers to use our service should they not require the service that we offer.

All of the benefits provided by the EHIC are available without using our service.

Our check and send service is entirely optional. You can obtain the EHIC free of charge by applying directly either by phone on 0845 606 2030 or by visiting the official website www.ehic.org.uk which does not offer a checking service for your application.

Our express service is entirely optional and is ordered at the discretion of you, our customer. As a result of making an express application, your application will be fast-tracked by our company. Your application will not be fast-tracked by the NHSBA. To the best of our knowledge, the NHSBA do not offer an express service.

morzov

The reality is that people have been scammed here.

You can make all the petty points that you want but that doesn't change the situation. The main concern is that people don't get scammed or defrauded for something which is free.

So what if "Ltd" is used in Australia - there is no EHIC Ltd in Australia

Furthermore the transaction is a fraud as confirmed to me by Action Fraud
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

That's all anyone needs to know.

Now get off my post and go and bother someone else.

scottishperson2

morzov wrote: »

The reality is that people have been scammed here.

No-one has been scammed. You paid your money and the company processed your application. That amounts to stupidity.

Surprisingly post not turning up doesn't amount to fraud.

If you feel you have a case then go and complain to the OFT, as I suggested you do.

There are also 5 warnings on the main page of the website you visited and numerous posts on here as to what website you should go to. Saying that, the ehic website is even linked to on the site you paid your money to.

morzov wrote: »

Now get off my post and go and bother someone else.

Public forum, if you don't like it then report the post. However, your posts are inaccurate and misleading.

morzov wrote:

My wife got caught out by www.eu-healthcare.com

Untrue

morzov wrote:

A footer on the web page says it is run by EHIC Ltd but a check at Companies House shows 2 companies with this name both of which are dissolved.

Inaccurate

morzov wrote:

The address for correspondence on the website is in Luxembourg

untrue

morzov wrote:

To add insult to injury the site lists that it is registered with the Data Protection Agency. So I checked the Reg No which showed EHIC Ltd and then rang the DPA and pointed out that they had registered a non existent company

Untrue

morzov wrote:

According to the website it's run by EHIC Ltd. That is a UK registered company - now dissolved.

Untrue

morzov wrote:

In order to get on the DP register and to validate their status they claim to be a UK registered company

Untrue

morzov wrote:

Obviously DP won't be able to enforce any breach of data protection law against EHIC Ltd because legally it doesn't exist

Untrue

morzov wrote:

And given that they are fraudsters

Untrue

morzov wrote:

The warnings etc on the website might be relevant if they actually passed details on to the NHS so an EHIC card was provided but they don't do that.

Untrue

morzov wrote:

Website footer lists EHIC Ltd. The abbreviation "Ltd" refers to a UK limited company

Untrue

morzov wrote:

If the Data controller's address wasn't in the UK then a UK representatives address must be supplied

Untrue

Jonboy4969

WOW, i have never been to a forum where so many rude people post, i came here because of the same issue, i put in the details and the first company came up on the list, i went there, all official, NHS mentioned, it even had details to contact DWP and NHS, it was a scam pure and simple. teh site is there simple to take money from people when what they are offering is free an available elswhere.

I am Stupid i should have double checked, however i am unwell and classed as disabled and i generally get others to check, that is no excuse but these sites which i have not looked into are fraudulent by putting teh free bit hidden somewhere in smaller print, whereas the Apply button is huge and in a box at the top, it is not made easy and i have now lost £39.98 (2 cards) and have put the matter in the hands of the bank.

meer53

Jonboy4969 wrote: »

WOW, i have never been to a forum where so many rude people post, i came here because of the same issue, i put in the details and the first company came up on the list, i went there, all official, NHS mentioned, it even had details to contact DWP and NHS, it was a scam pure and simple. teh site is there simple to take money from people when what they are offering is free an available elswhere.

I am Stupid i should have double checked, however i am unwell and classed as disabled and i generally get others to check, that is no excuse but these sites which i have not looked into are fraudulent by putting teh free bit hidden somewhere in smaller print, whereas the Apply button is huge and in a box at the top, it is not made easy and i have now lost £39.98 (2 cards) and have put the matter in the hands of the bank.

Who has been rude to you ?

NonGeographicalMan

meer53 wrote: »

Who has been rude to you ?

I think Jonboy's point is that various other clever clogs forum members have been rude to other forum members who have been taken in by these unprincipled and unpleasant scammers in the same way he has.

I totally agree that those other forum members were very rude and that their posts were totally unnecessary and completely unhelpful to members who had been scammed in this way.

The son of some friends of ours in Spain in the summer found his EHIC card had expired in the summer after he fell down some steps and injured himself and needed first aid treatment and possible hospital x-ray. The card had expired due to the totally unacceptable failure to remind people to renew them before they run out.

In their panic they had also fallen for one of these scam sites in applying for another card and didn't even realise they had been scammed until I told them if they had paid a fee to get the card this must be the case.

The people most at fault here are Google who are not only taking money from the scammers to advertise (in my opinion they should not have links to their sites at alL) but also putting them at the top of the list ahead of the legitimate EHIC site in return for further filthly lucre. Google should be ashamed of themselves as numerous people (my mother included) trust them to safely guide them to the websites they need. I keep explaining to my mother it is best to put the address of the website she needs in the address bar and not use Google but unfortunately she just doesn't seem to understand what the difference is.

So I would urge forum members to only show sympathy to those who have been scammed or if they cannot do that to otherwise hold their tongues and shut up if all they can do is smirk about the misfortune of someone else.