MSE News: US travellers' Esta warning after Boris Johnson aide stung by copycat site

Pollycat

opinions4u wrote: »

If you can show me how their "service" adds value for the customer I'll take your post seriously.

The quote you used (from Photome) was in reply to a post by Pincher which was about the EHIC so I'll assume your comment about providing a "service" refers to that rather than ESTA.

Take a look at the first website that comes up on Google - the extract below was this one and details what "service" they say they add - the formatting isn't great but you should be able to get the gist:
https://www.nhs-e111-ehic.org.uk:5568/

I personally wouldn't need a 'value-add' service but you can't deny that they do offer over and above what the NHS free website offers.

I'm not condoning these websites. I just think they have evolved from their earlier guise and by offering a 'value-add' service & telling any potential customers that the card is available free from the official website, they are probably not breaking the law and therefore can't really be called 'crooks'.

Services offered additional to the Government siteEuropean Health Insurance Card (EHIC) EHICNHS
Online EHIC Application 24/7
We offer a 24 Hours 7 days a week customer telephone support service and advice line; 020 3137 3609.
Don't Speak English? You can call us 24/7, we have multi lingual staff (English, German, Dutch, Italian, French, Danish, Spanish, Gujrati, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi)
Telephone EHIC Application Service 24/7
Postal EHIC Application Service
Online Status Check available 24/7
Telephone Status Check available 24/7
Email Application Pre and Post Confirmation
EHIC Applications checked for errors pre submission
You can call us 24/7 if you have any EHIC travel questions.
You can call us 24/7 if you have any EHIC Application questions.
Have Questions prior to submitting your EHIC application, you can call us 24/7.
Have Questions about the EHIC Requirements, you can call us 24/7.
Have Questions about your EHIC Eligibility, you can call us 24/7.
Want a Status Check, you can contact us 24/7.
You can call us 24/7 advising you of other EHIC travel requirements where appropriate.
Lost your EHIC? You can call us 24/7.
We offer a free travel vaccinations advice; 020 3137 3603.You can attain any flight timings information and advice on any queries related to your flight; 020 31373609.Customer Service available 24/7
Telephone for Replacement of lost / stolen cardReplacement of lost/stolen card online

mcfisco

after one of Boris Johnson's senior aides paid more than five times the normal price

I suspect the tax payers of London town were the ones paying 5 times over the odds

Pincher

The EHIC "service" that I got was an e-mail giving me the telephone number for NHS!

The passport scam is more serious, as they can get your personal data.

Spursman180

Was the aide entitled to use the ESTA system, he was working in the States? Surely like us lesser mortals he needed a visa?

shaun_from_Africa

You can still use an ESTA and the visa waiver system for going to the US for business purposes provided that you do not intend to stay and work in the country, but you are okay for such things as business meetings, conferences etc.

VT82

When I go abroad on a works trip, I don't give my employer the bill for renewing my passport, so why did this guy get to put in an expenses claim for his ESTA?

mcfisco

VT82 wrote: »

When I go abroad on a works trip, I don't give my employer the bill for renewing my passport, so why did this guy get to put in an expenses claim for his ESTA?

Why not? - most companies pick up the cost of work related visas etc?

photome

opinions4u wrote: »

If you can show me how their "service" adds value for the customer I'll take your post seriously.

Thats irelevant, they are offering a service, you dont have to take it up.

Many sites/people offere a service that doesnt "add value".

You could argue that the PO check and send doesnt add any value but many people use it

dzug1

opinions4u wrote: »

If you can show me how their "service" adds value for the customer I'll take your post seriously.

It means that a lazy or terminally thick customer doesn't have to think or do any more - that for them is added value.

Is the added value worth the cost for most people - obviously not.

pogofish

Pincher wrote: »

The crooks are doing the same thing with passport renewal.

They were doing it with passports and birth certificates long before EHICs.