UK-passport.net

wealdroam

mwlawl wrote: »

You are incorrect, 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.

The website name included .gov?
This is extremely concerning.

Can you please tell us the name of the website.
You won't be able to post the link directly, but a few blanks should disguise it sufficiently.

Oh, and it's not very clear just who you are addressing when you say "You are incorrect".
Can you perhaps clarify that?

hpuse

wealdroam wrote: »

The website name included .gov?
This is extremely concerning.

Can you please tell us the name of the website.
You won't be able to post the link directly, but a few blanks should disguise it sufficiently.

Oh, and it's not very clear just who you are addressing when you say "You are incorrect".
Can you perhaps clarify that?

@wealdroam

powerful_Rogue

hpuse wrote: »

@wealdroam

Would be worthy of a complaint to the ASA.

Valli

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.

www.uk-passport.net/Gov-UK‎

https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport‎

Here are two of the results from google when I googled 'renew passport'.

It really is not SO difficult to select which hit is most likely to be the official one.

For a start, one has an https link
one uses capital letters...

As Powerful rogue has pointed out, though, you could raise a complaint - take, and save, some screengrabs;)

Valli

hpuse wrote: »

@wealdroam

not quite .gov.uk though

Jack44

I have also fallen foul of this scam. I paid £69.00 believing I was ordering a new passport - the link from the Google page takes you directly to the application form which is set up to make you believe you are on the official government site. I realised my mistake immediately and contacted them to cancel my order and ask for a refund, but have so far (almost a week later) only received some cut and paste generic responses. The website is called Passport Direct.

mo786uk

Valli wrote: »

not quite .gov.uk though

are you defending that?

Valli

hpuse wrote: »

@wealdroam

Valli wrote: »

not quite .gov.uk though

mo786uk wrote: »

are you defending that?

No, I'm not defending it at all. But the poster who initially brought it up stated the website included 'gov' - not quite the same.

While these websites do, indeed, set out to trap the unwary, people using the internet and merrily entering their details and credit/debit card numbers need to check exactly what services or goods they are buying, and from whom. People should also be aware of how, exactly, companies ensure that their websites are top hits on google.

Given that there is no likelihood of these companies being closed down in the near future, since that the OFT has not found against them then the only way they will 'voluntarily' cease trading is if there is no longer a market for their 'services'. So people need to be educated on how to discern between legitimate websites and these 'dodgy traders'. Oh, and either to use an ad blocker OR to ignore sponsored links.

I've already suggested the poster take screengrabs to refer to ASA as Powerfulrogue suggested.

Pollycat

@ Jack44 & mwlawl

Have you checked to see if the company you used has a refund policy?

Some companies do have one - and apparently do actually refund you (less an admin fee of around £8) so if the one you used does, contact them in the way they stipulate and ask for a refund.

If you believe the website was misleading - i.e. it didn't make it clear that it was not the official website, report it as detailed below:

The OFT cannot provide advice or assistance to individual consumers or traders. If you require consumer advice, information on specific consumer rights or wish to make a consumer complaint against a trader, please visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.

Maybe a call/letter to your local MP too.

sed1

These sites often state in the very small print that they are not affiliated with the government, however they clearly portray themselves as offering the same service as the official government website. You MUST email them for a refund, which they may refuse. If/when you do not receive the service you asked for e.g. passport forms, tax submission - email them again asking for a refund, which they may refuse. After 15 working days, you can then ask your debit/credit card provider to do a charge back, stating how you have not received the expected documentation/service. Your bank will then take up the case on your behalf.