UK-passport.net

wealdroam

wantmemoney wrote: »

since 201/11 a number of these copycat rip-off sites have been found guilty(illegal) by the ASA for using misleading advertising.

And of course that is quite right.

So what about the sites that are operating now?
Have they changed their ways such that they now legal, or are they still illegal and flouting the law?

If they are still illegal, of course there is no question about it... they should be shut down.

I actually think those that I have seen are legal at the moment, but if you think they are illegal then report them to the appropriate authorities.
You have a duty to do that.

Money-Saving-King

wantmemoney wrote: »

since 201/11 a number of these copycat rip-off sites have been found guilty(illegal) by the ASA for using misleading advertising.

These sites have existed since 201? What year was the ASA founded then? Was it AD or BC?

Valli

wantmemoney wrote: »

The OFT and other Government bodies are not saying or inferring that it is legal to sell these 'services' using misleading adverts(websites)

since 201/11 a number of these copycat rip-off sites have been found guilty(illegal) by the ASA for using misleading advertising.

Unfortunately, though, while these companies may well be breaking advertising standards by using misleading advertising they are not, in themselves, breaking the law selling the services they do. As you say.

Rather than criticising faceless posters, none of whom have actually explicitly defended these sites, why not direct your efforts to collecting evidence of illegal trading or illegal business practices and report to ASA or to whatever Govt. agency you think may be interested.

botchcloppity

Isn't it Google that's at fault? If you Google the word `passport' the second entry that appears is "Passport - Official UK Passport Application -UK-Passport.net This is what caught me out - the word Official.

Valli

botchcloppity wrote: »

Isn't it Google that's at fault? If you Google the word `passport' the second entry that appears is "Passport - Official UK Passport Application -UK-Passport.net This is what caught me out - the word Official.

That's a bit dodgy - but, of course, you wouldn't want to apply for an 'unofficial' passport.

The first few entries are sponsored links - in other words they are 'top' hits because those companies pay google so that they come out as top searches - unless, of course, you use an ad blocker.

This is one of the points I have made earlier up the thread - people owe it to themselves to be more internet-savvy; otherwise they WILL be caught out by these and other 'clone' sites.

Most people are (I would hope) now aware of 'phishing' emails; people now need to ensure they are aware of how search engines work.

Google make a LOT of money from their sponsored ads!

bod1467

Adblock Plus, with the "Allow some non-intrusive advertising" option unticked = No Google ads.

Pollycat

Valli wrote: »

Rather than criticising faceless posters, none of whom have actually explicitly defended these sites, why not direct your efforts to collecting evidence of illegal trading or illegal business practices and report to ASA or to whatever Govt. agency you think may be interested.

wantmemoney, I think this is an excellent suggestion from Valli.

Why not do something positive that may stop these companies from operating?

Mikey_T

I processed the passport application in error from PASSPORT-UK.CO.UK thinking it was the official passport office, then realised it wasn’t and that it was going to cost me an additional £69 on top of the official passport application (I should point out that the small print on the website states that they are not affiliated with the HM passport office, but I had not read it). I realised my error almost immediately, phoned the number on the website and left a message on the recorded message system. Additionally, I emailed the company to cancel my order and then phoned my credit card company; unfortunately payment had been processed and so could not be stopped.

I phoned trading standards to get some advice and they advised me to cancel the order in writing and send the letter to PASSPORT-UK.CO.UK by recorded delivery citing the distance selling cooling off period required for online purchases, which I did.

I next received an email stating that I could not be given a refund due to the fact the service had already started, which I replied to contesting that I had cancelled within 1 minute of purchasing. To my delight the next email I received from PASSPORT-UK.CO.UK stated that I would receive a full refund within three days. True to their word the refund is now showing on my credit card. I am extremely grateful to PASSPORT-UK.CO.UK for their understanding as I would have been completely fed up to have paid for a service (in error) which I didn’t need

mwlawl

I paid £89:50 believing I was renewing my passport, the web site did not take me to the home page, in line with their terms and conditions I cancelled by email within 5 minutes. The web address included 'gov' why would I think this was not official. They have refused to refund me. This site is a scam and people should be aware of the underhand manner in which they do business.

powerful_Rogue

mwlawl wrote: »

I paid £89:50 believing I was renewing my passport, the web site did not take me to the home page, in line with their terms and conditions I cancelled by email within 5 minutes. The web address included 'gov' why would I think this was not official. They have refused to refund me. This site is a scam and people should be aware of the underhand manner in which they do business.

Which website was it?