MSE News: Paid-for EHIC site users could get refund

Jancee_3

I've just been done too. I paid thinking it was a new Tory government initiative!! My cards were still valid and the company somehow has access to a database that knows that. I've found my up to date cards now!

The website was near the top of the search list and called themselves apply-ehic.org. Their branding looked top notch!

Will credit card companies reimburse you? I tried to stop the payment because I realised within 10 minutes what I had done but they said they couldn't.

I also tried to report the site somewhere but couldn't find anywhere - the Office of Fair Trading didn't seem to have anyway of reporting these type of incidents.

Borderlad

I have just received a refund of £17-99 from I Visa Company, if this is the same company this is how I did it and I got the cards. Phone same number 02031377091 ask for a refund as you found out they are free. They will say it has been processed. Ask for email address, it starts with (applications) just ask for a refund of £17-99 as you found out they are free,nothing else.
It took about three weeks, 3 phone calls, 7 emails all much the same but asking for a reply, 1 posted letter, second class stamp to I Visa Company, 56, Kingsley Rd, Houndslow, TW31QA.
I kept them informed that I had contacted Citizens Avice,(fill in form from website), who passed my complaint to Trading Standards, then that I contacted my M.P.(quote email address) asking her to look into what Trading Standards were doing about my complaint as Trading Standards do not reply to complaints? all online, cost one stamp and normal rate phone calls, good luck

TheRuHa

I was in a hurry to receive a E111 for my daughter who is due to go on a school trip in 2 weeks (we couldnt find her old card) I went onto google searched and came up with this website, !!!nhs-e111-ethic (this site wont allow me to post link but it was like this) it said you had to pay £17.99, I didnt realise they were free, havent not applied for sometime and with changes in government, I thought it was just something else we now had to pay for. Though after reading this website, realised I had been mis informed by the website, I have tried to get my money back but they have refused. I find it disgraceful they have allowed to do this. Please no one be as silly as me.

tigger8596

I just ended up paying 23.99 on a site claiming to be the same site you get you prescriptin prepayment cards from. Once Irealised it 10 minuteslater, I immediately asked for a refund and my bank said thy could dispute it if they refuse. I told the site that my bank was going to dispute it and I pointed out their scam saying you could no longer do it through the post office nd it was no longer free to get one. I've heard nothing back since then and nowsee theyoffer no refunds or cancellations on applications. Now what do I do?

Pollycat

tigger8596 wrote: »

I just ended up paying 23.99 on a site claiming to be the same site you get you prescriptin prepayment cards from. Once Irealised it 10 minuteslater, I immediately asked for a refund and my bank said thy could dispute it if they refuse. I told the site that my bank was going to dispute it and I pointed out their scam saying you could no longer do it through the post office nd it was no longer free to get one. I've heard nothing back since then and nowsee theyoffer no refunds or cancellations on applications. Now what do I do?

Which website did you use?

Most of the new sites (this thread was started in 2012) now clearly state that they are charging an admin or processing fee for 'checking' your application for the EHIC and clearly state that you can get the card for free - and they often include a link to the free website.
Also, most of the websites I've looked at (as a result of people posting on here) now have a policy on refunds.

I think this is proably how they manange not to get closed down by Trading Standards.

So we need to know which specific site you used.

Who did you contact to ask for a refund? And how did you contact them phone/email?

Also, have you received your card or not?

tigger8596

Pollycat wrote: »

Which website did you use?

Most of the new sites (this thread was started in 2012) now clearly state that they are charging an admin or processing fee for 'checking' your application for the EHIC and clearly state that you can get the card for free - and they often include a link to the free website.
Also, most of the websites I've looked at (as a result of people posting on here) now have a policy on refunds.

I think this is proably how they manange not to get closed down by Trading Standards.

So we need to know which specific site you used.

Who did you contact to ask for a refund? And how did you contact them phone/email?

Also, have you received your card or not?

The website I used was european health card.co.uk and while their terms say they are not associated with theNHS, they still use the organisatons letters NHSBA for the NHS Business auithority and the payment says it went there as well. Their t&C saythey offer 7 days to cancel in one breath and then say they don't have to honour that. Ive shown it below.

5. Refund and Cancellation



5.1. Under the Distance Selling Regulations, you have seven days to cancel a contract as a consumer. However, as our charges are for the review service we provide, and we provide it much before the end of the seventh day, it may not be possible to undo our service. By availing our service, you authorize us to provide the service right away and won't be entitled to cancel once the order is placed.


5.2. The payment made to us for the review service in accordance with clause 8 may not be refunded to you until we have been unable to provide the claimed service, in which case, the refund shall be made in part or full at our discretion


5.3. Any other statuary rights as a customer may not be affected by this provision.


I haven't received my card yet and they've emailed me twice to say 1) I already had a card which found out when I called the proper place about it and 2) they've ordered one anway. Not sure what to do.

Pollycat

Do you mean this website?:
http://www.europeanhealthcard.co.uk/

I've looked at the website and am confused how you've paid £23.99.
The first link on the website takes you to the official NHS website which very clearly tells you that you can get the EHIC for free.

The website says:

There are no costs involved when travellers apply for an EHIC Card, which then entitles the holder to reduced price or in some circumstances free treatment. Each card will be valid for a certain period of time but can be easily renewed, so providing your forward planning is up to scratch, the whole process should be trouble free. The link below will take you to the EHIC website, where you can apply for the card.

Also, there are no T&Cs on that website so are you sure this is the website you used?

tigger8596

Pollycat wrote: »

Do you mean this website?:

I've looked at the website and am confused how you've paid £23.99.
The first link on the website takes you to the official NHS website which very clearly tells you that you can get the EHIC for free.

The website says:


Also, there are no T&Cs on that website so are you sure this is the website you used?

No, my mistake. the site was europeanhealthcard.org.uk

Pollycat

tigger8596 wrote: »

No, my mistake. the site was europeanhealthcard.org.uk

Hah! No wonder I was confused!

OK, as I suspected, they clearly say that you can get the card for free and they provide a link to that website.

tigger8596 wrote: »

I told the site that my bank was going to dispute it and I pointed out their scam saying you could no longer do it through the post office nd it was no longer free to get one.

Wherebouts on their website does it say you can't get one for free?

Can you actually still apply through the Post Office?
This is what the official website says about applying:

Applying for an EHIC is free of charge. You can apply for your EHIC online, however, other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them.

You can also apply by phoning the automated service on 0300 3301350 or you can download an application form (PDF, 122kb) and return it to the NHS Business Services Authority, which processes all applications.

NHS Business Services Authority
European Health Insurance Card
EHIC applications
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 6SN

So - nothing about applying at the Post Office.

I can't see it as a scam if they were clear (and it seems they were) that you could apply for free.
Sharp practice, maybe.

I honestly don't know if the following is legal or not - maybe somebody else could comment:

No Cancellation or Refund:

There won't be any cancellation or refund once the application has been processed. As we charge you for reviewing the application, once the review has been completed, you will be charged even if you do not wish to go further with the process. While availing our service, you won't be entitled to the seven day 'deciding' period under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 as you surrender it under our Terms of Service.

Refunds can only be made if we are unable to verify or process an application. If it can be proven that we have committed an error or made a mistake during the processing of the application, a request for refund can be entertained.

I'm confused that you say they said you already have a EHIC. Do you?

I think that as they've ordered you a card anyway, you'll probably have a problem getting a refund.

I'm not sure that your bank is right to say that you could dispute the charge if they refuse a refund.
You were actually told that you were buying a 'value-add' service from this company and they did tell you that you could get it elsewhere for free.
If you do go to your bank for a refund, be honest and tell them what the website says.

FairlyFrugal

I have not been abroad for years and I was invited to join my Father-in-law and his friends on a short trip abroad earlier this year. I was told by one of them to get my EHIC card sorted out and that it would probably cost me £10 approx.

Due to the info, I went ahead and found the first place online to set things up and paid something around £10. I am normally a real bargain hunter and have used MSE for years, just never joined forums before. I would normally check things like this thoroughly.

A couple of months later, my family (wife and kids) and I were given some money to help us get some much needed time away together as a family. I thought I better get this EHIC business seen to and expected to be charged. I applied online and there was no email confirmation sent and no charge made. After a week or two, I looked EHIC up on google and went to the first link (the address in the title!!!). They said I had not made a successful application and couldn't have done because I paid nothing (in so many words). After convincing me to part with £19.99 for my wife and my 5 & 3 year old, I went ahead.

Then, my free cards arrived shortly after in the post. I was first suspicious when a second one arrived for my daughter and the name was mis-spelled! I had gone through the names and spellings and had them repeated back to me, so definitely not my fault.

I am now pursuing them for a full refund. ANY HELP OR ADVICE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! I also have not received the duplicate copies of my wife and son's cards!