UK-passport.net

Pollycat

sed1 wrote: »

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.

And a lot of these website state that clearly not just in the small print.

Some also show a comparison of what you get if you use their service versus the official website.

And some even provide a link to the official website.

meer53

sed1 wrote: »

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.

You missed out an important word here - "IF you have not received the expected documentation/service"

William_Barnes

The examples quoted as have .gov are in fact .net the junk after the .net is irrelevant.

And no I'm not defending them, they clearly prey on those who don't understand what they're doing.

jung1es

My wife has just been conned by these rogues. I'd encourage everyone who has been affected or wants to make a difference to report the Google Adwords in question. [I can't post the link because I'm a new user - maybe someone else can ]. If you Google something like Adword violation you'll find the link. Google do take down Adwords very quickly. Worth focusing on the inaccuracy of the landing pages, the deceptive nature of their terminology, using phrases like gov-uk in their adwords to spoof gov.uk etc etc. Google's algorithms do respond to weight of numbers and when things reach a critical mass they get investigated by humans.

pzuk

I have just fallen for this passport renewal con, I googled passport renewal and (in a hurry) thought I was on the official gov site. Just paid £89.50 x2 for what is just two passport application forms with my names on! Paid with debit card, rang Lloyds bank, who said it was my own fault. I follow MSE, but I had never heard of these "fake" gov sites. I am an IT expert & I fell for it.

pzuk

Unable to cancel, passport.uk.com terms says:
"By making your order with us and completing the Application form you are therefore providing your authority to us to begin providing our service straight away which means that you will not have the right to cancel your contract with us once you have made your order."

Pollycat

@ jung1es

If you believe the website was misleading, maybe also take the time to report it here to OFT - you have to do it through CAB:

http://www.oft.gov.uk/contactus#.Uui1lSlFBjo

@ pzuk

These types of websites have been around for quite a few years.
EHIC websites were being closed down in 2010 because they were misleading.

All they've done since is become much 'cuter' and now most make it clear that they are not the official website, many show a 'comparison' table between what they offer & what you get from the official website and some even provide a link to the official website.

Some do actually have a refund policy (minus an admin fee - usually about £8) if you contact them by the right method.
It sounds like the website you used didn't.

And it's not just passports!
Also beware of:
EHIC
ESTA applications
Driving licence application/renewal
Submitting tax returns

Someone has also mentioned Land Registry in other threads.

TBH, I can only see this type of thing growing with more & more companies jumping on the bandwagon with the above and other types of services that you can get free or cheaper through the official website.

jung1es

@pollycat. Many thanks for the advice.

A quick update on the Google Adwords. I've provided feedback to Google on two sites now:- uk-passport.net and passport-uk.co.uk. I provided feedback on two different days and within hours Google stopped serving ads from both sites. Too early to prove cause and effect but I'd encourage everyone to feedback to Google. I still can't post the link.. Maybe after I've been on here for a bit longer

A quick explanation for those new to this: There are two types of search results paid (the ones at the very top, usually with a yellow background) and all the rest. The official uk passport site is top of the rest. Google WILL take down paid search results very quickly if it believes them to be deceptive. My professional background is with a search engine - these fake passport sites are not even close to making the grade, so please feedback to Google.

meer53

jung1es wrote: »

@pollycat. Many thanks for the advice.

A quick update on the Google Adwords. I've provided feedback to Google on two sites now:- uk-passport.net and passport-uk.co.uk. I provided feedback on two different days and within hours Google stopped serving ads from both sites. Too early to prove cause and effect but I'd encourage everyone to feedback to Google. I still can't post the link.. Maybe after I've been on here for a bit longer

A quick explanation for those new to this: There are two types of search results paid (the ones at the very top, usually with a yellow background) and all the rest. The official uk passport site is top of the rest. Google WILL take down paid search results very quickly if it believes them to be deceptive. My professional background is with a search engine - these fake passport sites are not even close to making the grade, so please feedback to Google.

I just Googled Passport Renewal and the top 3 listings are all companies who aren't linked to the official Passport Renewal site.

They all state on their home page that they aren't connected or affiliated with the Passport Office or the UK Government.

Can't see how Google can take them down really, they're not hiding anything.

Pollycat

Don't be fooled into thinking that if a website has 'gov' or 'org' in the name, it is the official website. :money: