a legal passport scam beware

passportscam

i recently applied for our passports to be renewed, there is a site online called passport uk or passport-uk.co.uk,it clearly states in the search results ,passport application online, i filled all the neccessary details in and paid £70.00 per person x 2 only when i received my details back that i had paid that money for this company just to fill my applications in, i contacted the correct passport agency and they confirmed that they have had a lot of complaints about this scam, i then had to pay another £72.50 per person to apply for the passports, i contacted the scam company for a refund stating i had been mislead but they were not interested, so please warn all your friends and family not to use this company it is a legal scam that should be stopped.

SaLoGo

From the site

Our services are not in any way affiliated with any UK Government body including HM Passport Office. We provide a reviewing and submitting service for all UK passport applications charging a service processing fee. You can apply autonomously to HM Passport Office , avoiding costs for checking and processing, by logging on to their authorised website. Please read our Terms and Conditions before using our website and services.

They also clearly state that they charge for this service but if you go through the HMPO it's free. Basically it's an over priced version of the Post Office's check and send service.

A quick search in Google of 'passport application online' brings up the official .Gov website for the HMPO as the first unsponsored link

Pollycat

11 pages of comments on these companies in this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4380089

Some do say they will refund, usually minus an 'admin fee'.

Not just passport renewal either.

Be wary when applying for/renewing EHIC, applying for ESTA, booking driving tests.....

agrinnall

Pollycat wrote: »

Be wary when applying for/renewing EHIC, applying for ESTA, booking driving tests.....

Or just ... Be wary on the internet.

Chyna-s

Or just keep away from the internet.

pogofish

Did you miss all the other threads on these predators?

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

I reckon this will be merged before I get home.