UK-passport.net

hpuse

wealdroam wrote: »

Did you read that list of known issues?
None of them mention browser instability or anything like it.

From that list it appears that the worst thing that happens is that AdblockPlus doesn't work, so you would be no worse off than if it wasn't installed at all.

But as you say, if you like reading the adverts, in case there is something you want to be sold, then carry on.

I certainly do not wish to force anything on to anyone.

It was just an idea that some may like.

Ads are an integral part of a sustainable internet eco-system.

And softwares like Adblocks are like masking flex and billboard advertisements. How would companies reach their target customers without such campaigns.

ClimboJimbo

Well said ShinyDoc - exactly my sentiments.

To all the 'what do you expect if you don't read the small print' brigade, well, I must admit to initially sharing similar sentiments when my wife (Swiss) fell for this when making a first ever UK passport application for our 3 week old daughter. But should factors such as having hands full with a new baby, sleep deprivation etc. not be factors to consider? These factors and a whole list of others which might make people vulnerable (OK I’ll accept there’ll be a percentage of stupidity here) The point is, surprise surprise the Advertising Standards Authority seems to be more sympathetic, see the very recent case (4th Sept) upheld against uk-passport.net by the ASA (sorry can't post links but you'll find it via Google)
I notice though that they still haven't removed the 'Official' word from their Google Ad.
Just to explain our situation. Our daughter’s passport application was mistakenly made through uk-passport.net, but when my wife showed me I immediately smelt a rat and we quickly reviewed the Terms and within 10 minutes sent a reply email stating we wished to cancel (we did receive an order ID by email within a couple of minutes of completing the online application). Thant was Weds 11th Sept since then two more emails have been sent, none of which received a response. The payment was taken and still no sign of any refund. But there was someone checking emails their end because quite separately I emailed them complaining about the Google Ad and the way it took the user directly into the application process and not the home page - I received the same response mentioned in a few other posts above. I replied and got the exat same response – but no response was sent to my wife regarding the cancellation of her order
So it seems that uk-passport.net is run by TAD Services located either at Knighton or Unit 2 The Old Stables, West Tisted, Hampshire SO24 0HJ, under the name of Peter Hall. I’m sure with a bit of digging we can out the individuals/directors behind this sham company.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

The services offered by these agencies are there for your benefit. You do not have to use them. Other services are available!

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/passport-check-send

Should I tell TS about the post office?

ClimboJimbo

They are not there for our benefit in the way that they are either, advertised, offered or charged.

The Post Office provides a check and send service which is useful to a small percentage of passport applicants who use this service and happily pay the £8.75 fee. Their advertising is clear, their methods are fair and people have a choice.

UK-passport.net charge £45 for the same service and achieve payment by the following means:

1. Someone types ‘Passport Application’ into Google – the first link on the page is Passport Application - Official UK Passport Application Lost,Stolen,Renewal 24/7 Support
a. Firstly the word ‘Official’ is misleading and this complaint has been upheld by the ASA – Yet nothing has changed. (Interestingly the ASA have ruled against the affiliated companies named below on multiple occasions)
2. The user (maybe not paying as much attention as he/she should) clicks on the link, but instead of being taken to the homepage, where the service and charges are clearly explained. Is straight to the application process where the fees are not detailed.
3. The user, believing they are on an ‘Official’ website complete all the forms and click finish at which point they are asked to pay – the fee is not detailed at this point, only Credit Card details are requested. The majority of users at this point mistakenly believe they are making payment for the passport itself – which they are not.
4. Payment is made and an email is received (but not by all users of the service it seems) with the Order ID and payment amount.
5. It is here users are likely to suspect something is not what they expected, the payment is for £45 not for £72.50. So the penny drops.
6. Not to worry though, if you read the Terms you can cancel the order and receive a full refund – less £8 if the order has started to be processed – simply send an email quoting your Order ID and that is that, a refund will be sent.
7. Except it is not, because UK-passport.net do not reply to emails and the only other method of contact is a £1.53/min premium rate number. A week later we have received no refund and no acknowledgement of our emails.

Comparing the uk-passport.net service and how it is delivered, to the Post Office Check and send service is like chalk and cheese - and not very helpful.

Interestingly, (text removed by MSE Forum Team) director of Esta Visa Ltd. and PH Travel Consultants. It doesn’t take much Google searching to realise that Peter Hall under his various company names and projects has misled, deceived, defrauded and defaulted on payments to many many individuals and companies. Whether he is actually engaged in active law breaking or not – in all his work he has been knowingly sailing so close to the wind for one reason, and one reason only – to get rich from the tired, rushed, less savvy, clumsy, vulnerable and yes foolish/stupid members of society. Those of you so swift to defend the legitimacy of the business practices of such an individual should really ask yourselves whose side are you actually on? Just like me I wanted to shout at my wife telling her how stupid she was but I realised that through sleep deprivation and the stresses of having a new baby she was steered into a course of action which had been deliberately designed to deliver a paid for service to her that she did not want and would not have chosen had she been a little more on her toes.

It may be clear to some, but by not acting on our request to cancel the order (which we made within 10 minutes) UK-passport.net are in breach of the UK Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

The services offered by these agencies are there for your benefit. You do not have to use them. Other services are available!

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/passport-check-send

Should I tell TS about the post office?

ClimboJimbo wrote: »

They are not there for our benefit in the way that they are either, advertised, offered or charged.

I have highlighted the bit that is important.

The problem is everybody trust a service called google. It makes money promoting adverts based on your internet use. Just today, this site was bombarded with post for website and scam sites. The Mods here are very quick in clearing them up. Outside, in the internet, you should check the site you are on when extracting you wallet from your pocket.

wealdroam

ClimboJimbo wrote: »

It may be clear to some, but by not acting on our request to cancel the order (which we made within 10 minutes) UK-passport.net are in breach of the UK Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.

Whilst most of your post has some merit, this last paragraph needs a little more thought.

Provided you have agreed that they can start the service as soon as they like, your rights to cancel under DSRs disappear as soon as they start providing the service.

Unfortunately every person making an application, will have either ticked a box or otherwise agreed to their terms and conditions.

We all know that terms are often not read, but in their T&Cs we can see:

7.2 You hereby agree and consent to the immediate commencement of the performance of the Service by UK-Passport.net such that on payment of the Service Charge, you can immediately access the Service using the Website.

I fear that there is no breach of The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.

ClimboJimbo

OK so no doubt that box was indeed ticked. But at the beginning of their terms and condition they also state:

If you cancel before we have processed your application, we will issue a full refund. If the application has been processed we will refund the full payment less a £8.00 administration fee

We have not received any refund - not really surprising really as prompted by your post I read further and item 7.3 states:

7.3 Subject to the provisions of these Terms, You agree and acknowledge that due to the nature of the Service, the Service Charge shall be non- refundable and that any request for refund of such Service Charge shall be at UK-Passport.net's sole and absolute discretion.

So which is it? They suggest at the start of their terms that they will issue a refund if contacted to cancel but later in their terms they state something fairly close to the opposite. The fact that my wife and other MSE members have very quickly cancelled but not received even a partial refund, suggests that the first promise regarding refunds is not genuine.

Interestingly since this morning I’ve noticed that uk-passport.net have made a bit of an overhaul of their site. Now when you click from Google it takes you to a modified Application Form page (still not the homepage) but at least the fees are now detailed whereas they were not previously. That said they have still not complied with the complaint upheld by the ASA to remove the word ‘Official’ from their advertising.

So yes warning about Google and wallet is understood, and I’m sure those who fall into these traps are unlikely to repeat their mistake, but the deception is targeted, designed and intentional which IMO makes it wrong - even if is not technically illegal.

ClimboJimbo

In the interest of fairness to uk-passport.net, I can report that after 13 days following our payment for their 'service' and several unacknowledged emails later, we did finally receive a full refund of £45 via bank transfer.

I have no idea if we just got lucky, as during the whole process they never contacted us once.

Also to those who suggest this and companies like them are offering a similar product to the Post Office Check and Send service - they are not - they do not check the completed application and documents before being submitted to the Passport Office, nor do they send the application and documents to the IPS via special delivery. These companies are simply expensive form fillers.

Anyway just glad to have got our money back. Interestingly uk-passport.net no longer hold the Google top spot - the 'Official' company is now Passportdirect.org it seems!

Pollycat

I'm glad you got your refund too.

ClimboJimbo wrote: »

Interestingly uk-passport.net no longer hold the Google top spot - the 'Official' company is now Passportdirect.org it seems!

Re the above:
I googled 'passport renewal' and these websites came up in this order:
uk-passport.net
passport.uk.com
passportdirect.org.uk
and then the official website - gov.uk

I agree that the use of 'Official' on the #1 and #3 websites is very misleading and I can see how people could assume that it is the 'proper' official website.

ECJ

I have also mistakenly purchased a "check and send" service, from passportdirect.org.uk for £49. Despite politely requesting a refund almost immediately after submitting my application, it has been refused. Like others, I was transferred directly to the passport renewal application page and failed to read the terms and conditions. Unlike the Post Office's check and send service, passportdirect.org.uk do not check the completed forms but simply charges for filling out a form online. Passportdirect is another "copycat website" that exists purely to mislead and prey on the uninformed.