DVLA Scam...?

yangptangkipperbang

Avoriaz wrote: »

A gypsy lady knocked on my door last week and sold me some lucky lavender.

I haven't been lucky.

How do I get my money back?

You haven't been run over by a bus - have you? it worked !!

Some people !!!!

TurnUpForTheBooks_2

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

...
Some people !!!! ...

You got that bit right. Is there anything actually interesting going on in the life of a smart a$$ / never-catch-me or is kicking people when down the defining national sport thesedays?

fivetide

TurnUpForTheBooks wrote: »

is kicking people when down the defining national sport thesedays?

This.

The OP, ok it is their own fault, came on here to try and do something nice and warn others and basically got a load of sarcastic abuse for it.

Yes the horse has bolted and these scams (because that's what it is at the end of the day) need people to click and do things in a hurry or take advantage of people who don't know how the system works like older people who might be new to it all.

A bit of sympathy wouldn't go amiss along with a reminder of the forum rules

Please be nice to all MoneySavers. That’s the forum motto. Remember, the prime aim is to help provide info and resources. If you don’t like someone, their situation, their question or feel they’re intruding on ‘your board’ then please bite the bullet and think of the bigger issue

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs

and...

Please be nice to all MoneySavers : There's no such thing as a stupid question and, even if you disagree, courtesy helps.
Please be sensitive : This may be a web forum, but you're still talking to other human beings. Repeatedly or harshly saying someone's wrong, especially on boards like DebtFreeWannabe, Bankruptcy or Benefits, can lead to upset.

We're proud that many people whose financial problems exacerbate mental health issues seek help in the forum, but this means you may be berating someone who's clinically depressed. Please think twice before posting judgmental comments.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumetiquette.php

Joe_Malone

nataliebee wrote: »

OMG I feel like such a FOOL!

Just googled "DVLA" and went to first hit, assuming it would be the *actual* DVLA - went through the process of ordering what I thought was a new licence from the DVLA to replace a lost one, paid my fee, and then have checked email to see it is actually a company called "Driverlicence.uk" and all they do is post me the flipping forms!!!!!!!
Contacted bank (Natwest) to stop payment, even though payment is pending they say they can't do anything as the card I used is a guarantee to pay the fee - nothing to be done, but at least I can warn other people about this - I was just in a hurry to get in done over lunch hour and stupidly only skimmed through the site...

AVOID at all costs drivinglicence.uk.com !!!!!!

Operated by....
Caveat Viator Limited, registered in England and Wales. Company Number 8230363
Registered Office: 145-157 St John Street, London, EC1V 4PW

ARGGGHHHHHH!

Apparently there are similar sites relating to UK passports...?

Whether or not it is a scam or a rip off is open to interpretation. What isn't is that this is a fraudulent service by misrepresentation. They claim to provide a service yet the OFT guidelines are very clear that they do not. They also claim that you are bound in a legally binding contract and that contractual performance has taken place early enough to exempt them from the 7 day cooling off period. Since there is no service and hence no consideration to you the customer then there is no contract. This particular part of the misrepresentation is designed to rob you of your statutory consumer rights with regard to the 7 day cooling off period.

Please read the 'Driving Licence Renewal Rip Off - Beware!!!' (sorry can't post links) thread here for details on how to reclaim your money from Caveat Viator Ltd...

Joe_Malone

OddballJamie wrote: »

Special delivery doesn't cost £8.75 for a passport, the rest of the fee is a charge for a service, it's no different to the agency the OP mentioned. The website claims

Application checked for errors or omissions before sent to DVLA, to help ensure application is not rejected.

Forms filled out correctly on your behalf, ready to sent to DVLA - forms completed and sent directly to you.

Photograph check - return your form to us and we will check your photographs and signature.

Personalised assistance during the application process, including support by email, telephone and livechat.

All stationary provided including addressed return envelope.

Free reprocessing in case of any errors.

Free repeat service if you change name or address within 2 years of application.

Named customer service officer to assist with application process.

Automated application updates by SMS message.

Therefore they are providing a paid for service, whether it's expensive or unnecessary for most people is not the case.


Take high street travel agents for example, they generally charge hundreds more in commission than booking the same holiday yourself online, because they are providing an extra service.
Does that make them a scam?

I would also just like to comment on this nonsense.

Each point noted is already covered by a direct application with the DVLA but if you want ot call them for advice on your application you won't need to ring a premium rate line to do it.

1. Application checked for errors or omissions before sent to DVLA, to help ensure application is not rejected.
A. So what, you might as well make a mistake on your application directly with the DVLA as with caveat viator ltd. The DVLA will also let you know what corrections are needed.

2. Forms filled out correctly on your behalf, ready to sent to DVLA - forms completed and sent directly to you.
A. No, you fill the forms out yourself online. All this company does is print them off and send them too you to examine or correct your own work.

3. Photograph check - return your form to us and we will check your photographs and signature.
A. Do I have to comment that the DVLA do this as part of their service.

4. Personalised assistance during the application process, including support by email, telephone and livechat.
A. The DVLA are also happy to give you personalised assistance with your application process.

5. All stationary provided including addressed return envelope.
A. Do your application online with the DVLA and you won't need stationary.

6. Free reprocessing in case of any errors.
A. This is actually just a duplication of point 1 to fluff out their alleged services.

7. Free repeat service if you change name or address within 2 years of application.
A. Since there is no service the a repeat free service is meaningless.

I will say it again... The OFT have issued very clear guidelines to distance selling stating that administrative work of the type provided by Caveat Viator Ltd does not equate to the provision of a service.

aiaiai

I agree. Of course is stupid to make this mistake (I made it myself), but although I don't like people that complain about everything, I am shocked with the level of acceptance that many people are showing...Yours is a developed country and if is pretty obvious that they are using many tactics to deceive web searchers (colour, font, fee), I really don't think people should think that to do so is "okay" or "too bad" and that is it...

anotherbaldrick

aiaiai wrote: »

I agree. Of course is stupid to make this mistake (I made it myself), but although I don't like people that complain about everything, I am shocked with the level of acceptance that many people are showing...Yours is a developed country and if is pretty obvious that they are using many tactics to deceive web searchers (colour, font, fee), I really don't think people should think that to do so is "okay" or "too bad" and that is it...

If the average were to wise up the said sites would fall into disuse and be abandoned. There have been numerous postings on this site , Martins warnings in his postings , on the web every social network has warnings against them, television programmes have highlighted the scam as have the press .
Still people blunder into their traps which is why they are still there , come on you lot , you're supposed to be an intelligent race.

fivetide

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

If the average were to wise up the said sites would fall into disuse and be abandoned. There have been numerous postings on this site , Martins warnings in his postings , on the web every social network has warnings against them, television programmes have highlighted the scam as have the press .
Still people blunder into their traps which is why they are still there , come on you lot , you're supposed to be an intelligent race.

Take that same advice over to the bankrupt forum. Tell them it is all their own fault for being so stupid. Does that help them? Does it count as advice? Of course not so why do it in here?

If people didn't fall for this stuff there wouldn't be any you are right but this is a lot more sophisticated than the millions of spam emails that go out. People respond to those too!

If the DVLA was a company, they'd have sued these guys out of business by now but they don't bother. If they had 'easy' in the title Stelios would have jumped all over them and heaven help you if you put a picture of an Apple anywhere near your company http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/8858333/Apple-takes-on-German-cafe-over-logo.html

Berating people who know they have made a mistake isn't helpful. What they come here for is help sorting it out.

EdGasket

Quentin wrote: »

If you cannot manage to check the market when your motor insurance comes due to renew you will find that many insurers will renew it automatically for you (with your prior agreement).

This can cost £100s more than starting a new policy.

Is this another scam?

YES it is!

Sue_Ryall

Its ok to criticise people but there are loads of reports about even the most savvy IT people falling foul to this one due to time pressures from day to day life. The google ad is covered with DVLA this and that and is deliberately misleading. Please don't blame the consumer it sounds rather arrogant and makes people feel worse about this 'border line' criminal activity. Let's be positive and see whether there is a way to get money back.

1) Contact DrivingLicence.uk.com (or other company) to state you want to cancel your order. They will refuse and refer you to their t&c's (extremely small font section at bottom right hand side of website). This is the starting point!

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3) Contact bank and trading standards to state the above. Bank may give you money back but chances are slim!

4) Email company stating that you have asked for cancellation and they have refused. Go to Which website and type letter to complain about cancelling a service into search engine (this forum won't let me post the link) and complete template and send to company. cc email to Trading Standards. You will get a reply asking you to send letter by post but make sure that you send email and cc Trading Standards in as this is the start of legal process to get money back

[TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

6) They will try and fob you off all the way but hold strong and be prepared to go to a small claims court to get your money back and threaten him with this repetitively. Don't get put off. They state they cannot give you a refund in their t&c's as you have agreed this by completing the application. Unless you have signed the hard copy application then it is not complete.

7) Speak to your MP and try and get them to do something via a select committee. They've just had energy producers in for price hikes so why cant they do something about these guys.

8) Give them a negative review on Google by clicking on the green tick by side of website. This will take you to a page where you can leave a review (bottom of screen). Suggest everyone does this in an attempt to expose them and get google to do something.

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Good luck!