UK-passport.net

Chixychu

I did this too - it's hard sometimes when you're busy and need to gets things done quickly (although I've never made this kind of mistake before). Looking at the website now, it's obvious, although it does look very official.

In fact, I completed 2 applications - one came through, the other didn't, at which point I looked into this (several weeks later) and realised what I'd done.

Having realised, I dropped them a polite note explaining that I had not realised that it wasn't an official passport office website, and could I have a refund for both of my applications (for which I included the reference numbers). In fact, they responded within a couple of hours saying this was fine, and they gave the refund - it's in my account.

I think their strategy must be to be open and honest, and give refunds if requested, in order to not get into trouble. I'm sure many people say 'arrggh I've been scammed' and don't bother to request a refund because they don't think they'll get one! So this is how they make their money. Great business strategy!

Georgiegirl256

Fairwinds wrote: »

Pointless and therefore a complete rip off preying on the unsuspecting

My thoughts exactly.

h20er

I too did this ! and am so annoyed with myself and also am usually super careful but ........ anyway its all been said before on here. In a funny sort of way it was "comforting" to know I'm not the only one who did this!
As soon as I realised I sent them an email to cancel and got a reply the next day "
[FONT=&quot]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 [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]From our database."
However, payment WAS taken from my account the following day - just want to know if all those who were told they were getting a refund actually had refund paid into account? Just wondering (hoping) if they had to take the payment first to then issue a refund ?
[/FONT]

Holiday_Queen

Hi H20er I have just made the same mistake. I agree with everyone's comments about this looking like an official site only to realise when I read the email after payment that it was a third party web site . I phoned the passport office who also confirmed this. Can't believe I was so stupid either. I just thought you could do most things on line now why not renew a passport. Anyway I emailed them literally within an hour of realising my mistake. Haven't heard anything yet so I hope I get a full refund. I will let you know. I am going to email trading standards as I do believe they do not give you this info upfront. And yes I have been stupid ( I don't give my details out to anyone. ) but I believe they should be telling peope what this service is about BEFORE payment not after . Just how many people have asked for their money back I wonder ?

mo786uk

I doubt TS will do anything.

There are enough pointers there to suggest its not official


"Our service is not connected to or affiliated with the Passport Office or any UK Government department."

Holiday_Queen

But from the google search it doesn't take you to its home page just straight to fill in the form. That's my point. If I had been taken to the home page I would have realised it wasn't the official site. They know what they are doing. Only got the home page after payment was taken then I realised what I had done. Anyway lesson learned and won't make the same mistake again from google search.

mo786uk

Holiday_Queen wrote: »

But from the google search it doesn't take you to its home page just straight to fill in the form. That's my point. If I had been taken to the home page I would have realised it wasn't the official site. They know what they are doing. Only got the home page after payment was taken then I realised what I had done. Anyway lesson learned and won't make the same mistake again from google search.

Fair point - though it does say halfway down the page they are not a Govt site.

I dont get why for Passports someone wouldn't read those pages.

And don't click on advert links of Google would be my advice.

h20er

if we had all logged into the home page it would have been so obvious but like 'holiday queen' says that is the point and is where we were all caught out. of course for something like a passport we wouldn't just fill out any old web page BUT this form is exactly like the IPS form and you definitely do not realise this or get a chance to read the T&C's until after all information is completed and you have paid the fee. Then it becomes very obvious as you are then taken to the home page and all the links are listed - IPS free service, not Govt related etc etc - then the penny drops.
Anyway, pleased and relieved to say all has ended well for me .............. refund has now been credited to my account (thankfully) and lessons learned.

crhbl12

Further to the above. I was also caught out by the direction to the form..no warning !!!This is simply and clearly a fraud. It is designed to induce you to part with your money for a service you think you are getting when in fact you are not. Sure we should all be careful online but this goes too far. The company clearly agree as many days after they had sent my forms back and the passport agency told me it was a scam they at once refunded all money when I forwarded their emails to the police. The speed with which this happened...less than 2 minutes....demonstrates that this company knows precisely what it's doing and has no desire to justify themselves in court.

So report them !!!

JuJuMonkey

I'm really mad, I've just fell for this too. I've not heard anything from them. They've not replied to any of my emails, so I've asked my bank to help me get a refund, which they say they can. I refuse to ring the £1.53 number and give them more money. I'm far more concerned about identity theft though. Who do I complain to about this? How do I know my details are secure?