Driving Licence Renewal Rip Off - Beware!!!

Dabla27_2

So I typed into google on how to get a replacement license as I had lost mine.

The first site that appears is drivinglicence.uk. Not scrutinising it enough clearly I go in, it all looks above board, filled in the required info and pay £50. I then receive a letter in the post from them and all their service provides is a pre printed a DVLA Application form with your details and charge you £50 for the priveledge. You still need to send this form off to DVLA and pay £20. I feel sick I fell for this. You can pick up these forms for free!!!

There is one major issue here and where I hope you can help me, the form they sent is actually blank. I phoned them up and all they can offer me is half my money back. Ive looked through their terms and conditions and I think more can be done but apparently that because they have done their checks and pre printed my details, which they haven't I still only get half my money back - help!!

I have searched stories online and they are quite well known. Fortunately I am getting something back, but it looks like there have been hundreds if not thousands conned into this and got nothing back. They also run a similar passport check facilty. Dont fall for it, go through the proper sites!!

Thats the thing with this, their site comes up first on google, once you're in the site they use all the same colours, fonts etc as the Government site, if whizzing through it like I did, you won't realise you are throwing away your money.

If anyone can help me with me refund issue or where I stand then that would be ideal!

fivetide

Did you pay by credit card?

If so do a chargeback for goods not delivered.

Aretnap

Have to say I rather like the fact that the company behind it is called Caveat Viator Ltd ("let the traveller beware"). At least they're honest about their dishonesty. That and the fact that the website does say that the same service can be obtained more cheaply from the DVLA means that I suspect they're just about on the right side of the law in general. However if they haven't even provided what little service they purport to provide for your £50 that's a different matter

Strider590

Dabla27 wrote: »

So I typed into google on how to get a replacement license as I had lost mine.

The first site that appears is drivinglicence.uk. !

It's not the first site that appears, it's a paid for Google ad.

"Ads related to how to get a replacement license" Gives it away......

I some respects, Google shouldn't be allowing sites like that to get advertising space above search results.


BUT the first site is www.gov.uk

What's happened is, your eyes have glazed over and you've clicked the wrong thing.

Kinda like me yesterday, accidentally installing adware by trying to skip through the multiple EULA's on some software I was installing, there we're 7 of them and by the third one I was like (eyes now glazed over):

"Yes <click>... Yes<click>... YES<click> YES<click> OH !!!!!! YES<click><click><click><click><click><click><click><click><click>, oooooooh 5hit I think that was adware!!!!!! "

I then wasted 3 hours getting rid of some stupid toolbar that wouldn't stay uninstalled........

If you can't see the colour difference between the ads (yellowish background) and the search results (white), you need to change your monitors colour settings.

Finally never click on those ads when your searching for something specific.

TradePro

Dabla27 wrote: »

I phoned them up

You need to be very, very careful - the number on the website costs £1.53 per minute (plus any network extras), hope you haven't used that and paid them even more!?

HoofeHearted

I have just been on www.drivinglicence.uk.com and there is a big statement on the front page saying that they are not affiliated with DVLA etc etc.

Jamie_Carter

HoofeHearted wrote: »

I have just been on www.drivinglicence.uk.com and there is a big statement on the front page saying that they are not affiliated with DVLA etc etc.

But they also say this: "A convenient online application taking the stress out of form filling, ensuring your application is free from errors and checked before you send it to the DVLA." Which is extremely misleading to say the least.

It sounds like a company that should be reported to Watchdog, and probably Trading Standards.

fivetide

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

But they also say this: "A convenient online application taking the stress out of form filling, ensuring your application is free from errors and checked before you send it to the DVLA." Which is extremely misleading to say the least.

Given that is exactly what they haven't provided a chargeback seems to be the best way to get money back!

Dabla27_2

Thanks for all the replies. I still feel like a total idiot for not paying close attention and have no one to blame but myself. Anyway its done now and ill know better next time.

However, they have still not provided their service as quoted saying they will send out a completed form with no omissions etc. So surely there is someone I could go to regarding this, and preferably not them again due to the price of the call.

Also I did not pay via Credit card either, I assume this makes things more difficult?

fivetide

Dabla27 wrote: »

Also I did not pay via Credit card either, I assume this makes things more difficult?

It does but it isn't impossible. You can do the same thing on your debit card. you need to contact your bank.

The thing you have got going for you is, as Jamie quoted, they never provided the service they were meant to.

agrinnall

I don't think it makes any difference what type of card you have used in this case, as the cost was under £100 chargeback would have been the only option for a credit card as there would be no S75 protection.