UK-passport.net

gb12345

loudwaterboy wrote: »

Why is this site still operating?

Because it is doing nothing wrong (apart from using the Passport Service helpline number) - it is not illegal to charge people to fill in a form.

It relies on people not bothering to check what they are paying for.

Pollycat

loudwaterboy wrote: »

Why is this site still operating?

Maybe because:
1: it's not actually illegal
or
2: nobody can be bothered to report them to Trading Standards
or
3: it's illegal but Trading Standards either can't or can't be bothered to do anything about them

TBH, I can't understand why the IPS aren't escalating this.

loudwaterboy wrote: »

This is just a cleverly designed site to take money from the unsuspecting!

Or take money from the careless.....

loudwaterboy wrote: »

I will definitely read every detail the next time I attempt to visit an official website!

Good idea!
There are lots of sites, not just for passport renewal but also for EHIC renewal, application for ESTA and booking driving tests - and they are only the ones I know about from the number of posts on here.

If you're buying/renewing anything on-line, maybe it's best if you have the attitude that everybody is trying to rip you off and triple check everything before you commit to pay.

dillie

Just saved myself some money, very nearly got caught this afternoon by this company. Agree with all the others that clicked on this site because it appeared very authentic.
Only when I got to the payment section did I realise something was wrong because I knew the charge should have been £80 odd.

I was very annoyed but also relieved and hotfooted it to my local post office and did it all there.
Phew!

johncs

this site is there for one thing only ,to relieve the unsuspecting of their cash,i went on and only at the end did i not pay as i wondered why no photos where required ,imo google have a responsabillty to remove this site i would guess that 99% of those who pay do not realise what they're getting maybe legal but a complete con

gb12345

johncs wrote: »

imo google have a responsabillty to remove this site

Why do Google have a responsibility to remove the site? The site is not illegal - it's not promoting drugs or child !!!!!! or anything like that - it is providing a service. Yes it's a service that people don't really need, but that is not Google's concern.

DCFC79

johncs wrote: »

this site is there for one thing only ,to relieve the unsuspecting of their cash,i went on and only at the end did i not pay as i wondered why no photos where required ,imo google have a responsabillty to remove this site i would guess that 99% of those who pay do not realise what they're getting maybe legal but a complete con

If people who use avast anti virus rate the website as being red for bad then it will get a bad rating which should be a warning sign.

johncs

the reason google should remove this site they are profiting from this con,it is a con no ifs or buts, its only there to take peoples money it might be legal, and yes i agree google arn;t bothered as long as the fees roll in. who cares that people are being legally robbed.google are getting richer and richer why should they bother money is what they want.

gb12345

johncs wrote: »

the reason google should remove this site they are profiting from this con,it is a con no ifs or buts, its only there to take peoples money it might be legal, and yes i agree google arn;t bothered as long as the fees roll in. who cares that people are being legally robbed.google are getting richer and richer why should they bother money is what they want.

It may have escaped your notice, but Google are a business - they are there to make money for their owners.

Why are people being robbed? They are paying for a service which is being provided to them. If the site was taking their money and not providing the service then yes, Google should be acting.

Immediately below the adverts for this site and another similar one are a number of official .gov.uk passport related pages. If people are too lazy to make sure that they have the right site then that is down to them.

Grumpy64

I too have fallen into this trap... Type in UK passport renewal and google adds brings this site up as the first hit. I have to disagree with the warnings about it clearly stating it is not affiliated with the passport office if you use the link from google adds you get no warning at all untill after you have completed the application.

Further to this though, I applied through this service and was charged for the privelige... so far I have not recieved an application form nor have I recieved a response from the email sent 11 days after application. I rang the help-line number given on the site (which incedentally I checked out as being a genuine passport office number) and spoke with a rather confused member of the passport office... his supervisor was however able to confirm that the site I had applied through was in fact nothing to do with them and although what they do is not illeagal it is immoral.. (Not sure if that is the 'Official View' of the passport office or not).

Anyway... I have requested a refund via the email (sales at passport.net) and recieved an almost instant response "
Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your email of which your comments have been noted , we have cancelled your application , refunded / Voided your payment and all your personal details have been removed
From our database.

Thank you

Regards

Address removed- new user rules"

I urge ALL users that if you are dissatisfied with their service you can request your money back.... Seems they will respond instantly to this sort of request because they donot want the attention of the trading standards or similar organisations.... Lets see if the refund comes through eh???

zenith23

I applied via this in march and have recieved no form rang the Passport office and found out what was going on.
bit p*ssed at myself but you live and learn.
Thing is if they had sent my form within the 7-10 day window as stated I doubt I'd have thought twice about it. So have asked for a full refund but haven't had any reply yet.