EHIC Scam website www.ehic.org

useruser_2

i just don't understand how and why some of the replies are so self righteous...

on here is a reply that states that the company was investigated by trading standards and forced to change their website - now complying to the minimum legal requirement. furthermore, the company's practice has been questioned in parliament (Hansard: Commons, vol 496, no 113, col 450).

the company does mislead - by charging for a free government service, imitating the official web address, using the flag of the council of Europe as its icon - all this is done to appear more official and legitimate

it would be nice if the intent of replies here would be to help rather than to patronise!

and yes, i got scammed (yes scammed) by the company, i did NOT click a sponsored link, just rushing a bit and not pouring over the T&C for half an hour...

markymoo wrote: »

again.. how can people get caught out?! is it because they google, and click SPONSORED LISTINGS..

"Healthcare abroad" is the first LISTING of google, and the 2 above it in a yellow box, clearly say SPONSORED....

*head against brick wall*

saying that, i did have a tech support call today and someone "forgot" to plug the ethernet cable into their laptop to get on the network, so maybe it can happen..

*shakes head*

Teddyandwilbur

A TIP TO GET YOUR REFUND-I fell for this too but got my money back within 24hours by raising it on Paypal as a dispute through their resolution service. Well done Paypal. It has certainly taught me to read everything slowly and carefully and to avoid Portcreek in the future. The stupid thing is that there website is better laid out and looks more official than the government website!

julieann38

dzug1 wrote: »

It's not a scam.

A scam would take your money and fail to deliver the EHIC.

Rip off maybe.

Actually, yes it is a scam. I just spoke to the real EHIC because my son's card didn't arrive. They told me Portcreek ring up PRETENDING to be the people who have applied, and they couldn't apply for my son's card because they couldn't prove that they were me!!! That...IS...a scam. I paid them to basically pretend to be me and ended up with no card. How is it not a scam?

EHIC also recommended I take legal advice because they were fed up with it happening as well.

julieann38

Check my post - my son's wasn't even applied for by Portcreek.

jammin_2

julieann38 wrote: »

Check my post

It's lovely, yes.

aloiseb

Why not give up Google? You can use https://www.teoma.com, it's a much better search and the sponsored links are clearer in my opinion. (backed in blue)

It's a shame the NHS doesn't have the money to spend, paying people to make sure they come out on top in Google rankings. Maybe they could cancel a few operations.

jammin_2

aloiseb wrote: »

Why not give up Google? You can use www.teoma.com, it's a much better search and the sponsored links are clearer in my opinion. (backed in blue)

Teoma is an Ask Jeeves clone. Not as powerful as Google.

terryw

For what it is worth, much the same applies if you try to obtain a copy of the title register from the Land Registry via the net. There is a company with a very similar name to Land Registry who charge substantially more and it is very easy to be misled.

Technically these firms are providing a service and scam is perhaps too harsh a term to use.
How about sharp practice?

Horsekid17

burls wrote: »

I hold my hands up and admit that I too was foolish enough to pay £9.95 to have somebdy from Port Creek read my form for me. I paid for the privilege, not knowing any different, through PayPal. Then, upon finding out payment was not necessary, requested a refund. I told them that I thought I was paying for the cards, not the service, and had I known,I wouldn't have paid it.

PortCreek, as a gesture of goodwill, refunded my £9.95. Would a scam refund you? I think not.

(Might read the small print and do my research a bit better though next time)

Hi could you let me know how you received your refund as I'm having to go through this process now but finding it unclear on how to claim money back!

Thanks

Grumbo

Teddyandwilbur wrote: »

A TIP TO GET YOUR REFUND-I fell for this too but got my money back within 24hours by raising it on Paypal as a dispute through their resolution service. Well done Paypal. It has certainly taught me to read everything slowly and carefully and to avoid Portcreek in the future. The stupid thing is that there website is better laid out and looks more official than the government website!

I also caught and realised my mistake within the hour having read this:
I went the same route and well done PayPal - money back in my account within 24 hrs not contested by IMAP (UK) LTD