Driving Licence Replacement Scam!

sd1234

PS I am likely to see further transactions on my card? I'm planning on cancelling my card tomorrow to help prevent this.

Nipped

missymr wrote: »

Still no reply

Missymr,

It's possibly time to start mentioning to them that you are now in the process of starting legal proceedings and using the advice given by those recently posting.

Just keep up the momentum, I know it's a pain in the rear end but you will get there in the end.

Regards

Nip

Richmuma

The question is not whether they are legal as it is apparent that
no-one can stop them - the question is why do the DVLA
accept applications from other people than the original applicant
They do warn people on the DVLA website but it they did not
accept the applications in the first place then people would not
be misled. They should only accept applications direct from the
person who needs the licence.
The site is a complete copy of the DVLA - it is called
DVLA - it shows up on your credit card statement as DVLA
It is a very easy mistake to make and the DVLA are allowing it
to happen. Where is consumer protection and it might be legal but
it is totally MISLEADING. A hamburger restaurant is not allowed to
open and call itself McDonalds - it would be shut down immediately so why is a scam website allowed to call itself DVLA ??
Anyone have any answers ??

missymr

Yaaaay got a refund :j Thanks for all the help

cbeddows

The DVLA include an official blue TYPED notice and a tear off page in the renewal notice for those required to renew their driving licence when over 70

The first inclination is to complete the form and send it off as it appears to be the Official form.

In reality it is a private company being laundered by the DVLA. The next thing that happens is a phone call asking for a fee eg £27 payable by card.
DO NOT PAY THIS AS THE RENEWAL IS FREE.

The assumption or excuse from the DVLA will be that this is a facility for those unable to complete forms.
This is not stated or explained.

Nor is it needed as it is the same form for the DVLA. Another assumption could be that the DVLA are gaining financially from the private company

The company is run by a 29 year old. I will not give the name of the website or the company as it should be avoided

This is a true scam and a great shame that a government department should be part of it

(possibly we should involve the Ombudsman as a lot of people are being duped?)

If you complete the DVLA form on-line, you will be asked for your passport number. If you have a recently issued passport then the form will be processed but if not and the DVLA cannot find a diggitalised photo then your online application will cease and not be recognised

The best advice is to complete the form sent and enclose a new photo and your driving licence. It takes about 2 weeks

Pollycat

cbeddows wrote: »

The company is run by a 29 year old. I will not give the name of the website or the company as it should be avoided

This is a true scam and a great shame that a government department should be part of it

(possibly we should involve the Ombudsman as a lot of people are being duped?)

There are lots of companies offering driving licence renewal.

Also be aware that they operate in other areas too:
passport application/renewal
booking driving tests
booking driving theory tests
submitting tax returns
EHIC application/renewal

I'm sure this list will grow as they identify other ways of taking people's money for something that is either free or cheaper from the official website.

Some of these companies have been investigated and ordered to change their websites to make it clear what 'service' they are offering.

For that reason, a number of people who have raised a dispute with their financial institution have had their claim rejected.

One poster was refunded by his bank but after investigation the bank took the money back as they said the company was operating legitimately.

As for taking these companies to the small claims court, you may be interested in this reply from one of these companies (driving licence renewal) to a poster on another thread who threatened legal action:

We will be defending our position in full and will provide the relevant evidence which shows how clear our service is stated on our homepage and throughout the website, we will also provide screenshot evidence of the terms and conditions and the no refund policy which you had agreed to before proceeding and then submitting your application with ourselves.

From this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/64688425#Comment_64688425

From that very bullish response it would seem that at least one of these copycat companies are very sure that they are operating within the law.

Les_Lloyd

Recently caught out by dvla renewal of driving licence scam .Any ways to get the £50 refunded

Nodding_Donkey

It's not a scam as such. You just didn't read the terms and conditions.

Pollycat

redshipp123 wrote: »

the owner (thieving ****) is Claire Hall of 'Knighton, West Tisted, Hampshire SO24 0HJ' go get 'em

'go get 'em' in what respect?

What exactly are you suggesting people who have used these copycat websites do with the information you have provided?

I sincerely hope you are not advising people to break the law.
These copycat websites are clever, they make sure they operate within the law.

Have you even read the posts in this thread?

mrssuspicious

Just like to say, I too got scammed by these people. I am disabled and typed in DVLA online header and applied. Once I realised though I did report them to actionfraud who are now investigating. Victim support also phoned with further information.
The thing I find most vile on here is this thread started with someone posting a warning to others and I have never in my life seen so many nasty, up their own backside comments in all my life. People do make mistakes and this site is supposed to be to help others not make the same mistakes, it is not meant to be a site where people are to be berated for trying to help someone else. I think all those posting the comments about how stupid people are need to think that one day there may be a scam which involves them!!! People are embarrassed at being scammed and those brave enough to warn others may well read the comments posted by the ''all knowing'' individuals and be put off posting. I don't know who you people think you are but you need to take a step back and think what damage you cause to people and to this site too. You should be ashamed of yourselves.