UK-passport.net

hpuse

gb12345 wrote: »

It appears that hpuse doesn't believe in the "be nice to newbies" badge and just dismisses the experiences of these newbies as irrelevant, whilst at the same time stating that post counts mean nothing - hmm, double standards there.

Aww.....I really can feel the hatred I have withered here...
For your info, I'm nice to newbies.

I am not nice to posters here who preach "do not contact bank" it is useless by quoting newbie posts.

Pollycat

hpuse wrote: »

When a post with relevant points comes, PollyCat will barge in with usual when/what/how questions that would calm the soul of his/her's and those fella posters:rotfl:

wantmemoney said the websites 'were misleading and trading illegal in 2011'.

I've simply asked if they still are.

It's not a relevant point (made by wantmemoney) if the websites are no longer 'trading illegal'.

Do keep up, Hpuse.

You may like to read this post:

mazwillow wrote: »

I thought I had applied on-line for a new passport re: change fo name. I filled out an on-line form, giving all details, including parents names, date of birth, address etc and paid £49 for what I thought was the renewal fee.

I received a paper copy of the application form from the passport office with instruction of what to do next. I took the completed form and all documentation required to the local Post Office for them to check. All was well until the lady asked me for not only the £8 to check the paperwork but the £72.50 application fee as well. I explained that I had already paid the fee online. The lady explained that I must have gone through a third party and the £49 was the fee for them to complete the form and that was all!! I then had to pay the full application fee there and then and was therefore out of pocket by £49.

I returned home rather furious and upset. I telephoned the Passport Office and they are aware that there are some companies who are acting as a legitimate company associated with the Passport Office but as they are not breaking any laws they can not do anything about them.

I think it is disgusting and immoral that companies can get away with fleecing people of £49 upwards by providing a service that is not needed, not wanted and immoral.

Has anyone else had this type of experience?

What did you do?

What should I do?

Many thanks

MazWillow

So, if HM Passport Office are telling people who complain to them that the websites are "not breaking any laws" then wantmemoney is not making a relevant point.

gb12345

hpuse wrote: »

I am not nice to posters here who preach "do not contact bank" it is useless by quoting newbie posts.

Which infers that you consider the posts made by the newbies unworthy because they are new - but the fact remains that they have taken action and got a refund HAVE YOU?

WTFH

Surely the first port of call is with the company. Then, if that gets you nowhere, contact the bank.
I doubt anyone here has said "do not contact the bank", just "do not contact them first".

If you have used one of these websites and you feel that you were mis-sold/ripped off/conned, then your first contact should be with the website, not your bank.
You should try to resolve your problem with the website, not your bank.
If the website is not prepared to help you, then you can try talking to your bank.

wantmemoney

Pollycat wrote:

Originally Posted by hpuse
When a post with relevant points comes, PollyCat will barge in with usual when/what/how questions that would calm the soul of his/her's and those fella posters

wantmemoney said the websites 'were misleading and trading illegal in 2011'.

I've simply asked if they still are.

It's not a relevant point (made by wantmemoney) if the websites are no longer 'trading illegal'.

Do keep up, Hpuse.
.......
.......
So, if HM Passport Office are telling people who complain to them that the websites are "not breaking any laws" then wantmemoney is not making a relevant point.

http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/12/IQ-Channels-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_245713.aspx
ASA Adjudication on IQ Channels Ltd
IQ Channels Ltd t/a https://www.estavisas.org.uk
Date: 18 December 2013

Background
Summary of Council decision:

Two issues were investigated, both of which were Upheld.

http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/12/IQ-Channels-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_242630.aspx
ASA Adjudication on IQ Channels Ltd
IQ Channels Ltd t/a passport-uk.co.uk
Date: 4 December 2013

Background
Three issues were investigated, of which all three were Upheld.

http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/9/TAD-Services/SHP_ADJ_234396.aspx
ASA Adjudication on TAD Services
TAD Services t/a UK-Passport.net
Date: 4 September 2013

Ad
A sponsored search on Google stated "www.uk-passport.net Official UK Passport Application Lost, Stolen, renewal 24/7 Support. Adult Renewal Passport Child Renewal Passport Child Replacement Passport Adult Replacement Passport".

Issue
Fourteen internet users challenged whether the claim "Official UK Passport Application" was misleading, because it implied the advertiser was affiliated to the HM Passport Office

CAP Code (Edition 12)
3.13.50
Response
UK-Passport.net said they had already requested that the ad should be amended and they would do so again, but they did not provide a more substantive response to our enquiries.

Assessment
Upheld

The ASA noted UK-Passport.net had previously given us an assurance that the claim "official" would be removed from their advertising, but we also noted the amendment had not been made.

We considered that the use of the claim "Official UK Passport Application ..." implied that the advertiser was affiliated to the HM Passport Office and as such consumers were likely to understand that they were applying for, or renewing, a passport through an officially recognised HM Passport Office agent. Because that was not the case, we concluded that the claim was misleading.

what was the title of this thread
@polecat you are posting a load of inaccurate useless misleading unhelpful nonsense that is only serving to aid the scammers! WHY?

Pollycat

wantmemoney wrote: »

what was the title of this thread
@polecat you are posting a load of inaccurate useless misleading unhelpful nonsense that is only serving to aid the scammers! WHY?

wantamemory

The title of this thread is UK-Passport.net.
Why do you need to ask?
Can't you read? :rotfl:

So - what are ASA (or any other regulatory body) doing about UK-passport.net?

Is there any point at all doing an investigation and upholding that investigation if nothing happens?

The people posting inaccurate, useless, misleading, unhelpful nonsense are you and Hpuse. WHY?

Rachel06

I too want to post a warning here. I never complain but in this case I feel I must, this company are absolutely atrocious.
I placed my order on 23rd December and after realising that I had made a mistake I emailed 15 minutes after placing the order to cancel
I also repeatedly called their offices but only got answer machines, therefore they were clearly closed for Xmas.
I received an email reply on 26th December ( Boxing Day, bit odd) advising my refund request would be reviewed.
I've since sent more emails, and finally recieved a reply on 12th January advising: "Your request for a refund has been reviewed. In this instance our services commenced before we received a refund request".
This is a lie, to process my order 15 minutes after placing is ludicrous.
And what's worst it's it's now the 26th January and I have not recieved a thing, no so called application and not my money!!!!!!
I've demanded a refund, and nothing. These scammers have taken £69 of my money!!!
Please do not be as silly as me and use them, their website is: passport-uk.co.uk

DCFC79

Rachel06 wrote: »

I too want to post a warning here. I never complain but in this case I feel I must, this company are absolutely atrocious.
I placed my order on 23rd December and after realising that I had made a mistake I emailed 15 minutes after placing the order to cancel
I also repeatedly called their offices but only got answer machines, therefore they were clearly closed for Xmas.
I received an email reply on 26th December ( Boxing Day, bit odd) advising my refund request would be reviewed.
I've since sent more emails, and finally recieved a reply on 12th January advising: "Your request for a refund has been reviewed. In this instance our services commenced before we received a refund request".
This is a lie, to process my order 15 minutes after placing is ludicrous.
And what's worst it's it's now the 26th January and I have not recieved a thing, no so called application and not my money!!!!!!
I've demanded a refund, and nothing. These scammers have taken £69 of my money!!!
Please do not be as silly as me and use them, their website is: passport-uk.co.uk

Yes we all know how they work, they are legit, they provide a checking service, people just ned to read the website. What made you think the site was officially the correct site for passport applications ?

Morglin

The Mail on Sunday are running some sort of campaign to get these sites , especially the Revenue one, stopped, and according to their paper today, Sunderland Trading Standards have begun an investigation into Who4, the firm behind some of them.

Mp, David Davis, is also taking it up with the Treasury.

I can't link to it, but it's the leader column in today's Personal Finance Section, in the newspaper.

Lin

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Morglin wrote: »

The Mail on Sunday are running some sort of campaign to get these sites , especially the Revenue one, stopped, and according to their paper today, Sunderland Trading Standards have begun an investigation into Who4, the firm behind some of them.

Mp, David Davis, is also taking it up with the Treasury.

I can't link to it, but it's the leader column in today's Personal Finance Section, in the newspaper.

Lin

thisismoney.co.uk