Steps to take if you have been ripped-off by a copy-cat government website

MamaMoo_2

I agree, in the early days it was sneaky and misleading.
These days, however, they practically have it flashing at you in massive letters that they're an unofficial site that will be charging you to fill in your form and post it back.

Pollycat

MamaMoo wrote: »

I agree, in the early days it was sneaky and misleading.
These days, however, they practically have it flashing at you in massive letters that they're an unofficial site that will be charging you to fill in your form and post it back.

Yep - but still hpuse is posting this......

hpuse wrote: »

Now some statistics to draw parallels to the above (eye opener!) :

- 100's of new internet users are born everyday in UK
- Copycats target those large vulnerable section primarily
- There is not point in blaming them if they fail to read.

Not sure who hpuse thinks is to blame for someone not reading what's in front of them......

wealdroam

Pollycat wrote: »

D'you know, wealdroam, I've often looked at your signature when reading your posts on this thread and wished that hpuse would read it and take note.

You can't expect people to read everything... oh, wait...

MamaMoo_2

Pollycat wrote: »

Yep - but still hpuse is posting this......


Not sure who hpuse thinks is to blame for someone not reading what's in front of them......

I know.
Presumably that means that anyone could get out of any contract by just saying "ah, sorry, I didn't read it and now I'm not happy because it doesn't do what I want it to do, despite it never claiming to do that in the first place."

Can you imagine if the legal system worked the same way?
"You can't arrest me for shoplifting! I didn't know it was illegal"
"But there was a sign right in front of you that said 'Shoplifters will be prosecuted'"
"But I didn't READ it! I didn't know!"

hpuse

A trade body representing an entire region (Scotland) has spoken against copycats and their misleading and conning nature.

Yet, some people uphold a two digit score done overnight and form rationales.
Guys, you are simply amazing. Hats off !!

If a consumer thinks he did not get the service he paid for - then he has the right to enter a dispute. That's all OP is helping him/her to do. If you did not like my post then shut your eyes and remain silent [courtesy wealdroam' signature]

Collective response to OP and attitude formed has only helped idiosyncrasies that protrude here become more buoyant each day as post & thank count goes high!

gik

hpuse wrote: »

A trade body representing an entire region (Scotland) has spoken against copycats and their misleading and conning nature.

Yet, some people uphold a two digit score done overnight and form rationales.
Guys, you are simply amazing. Hats off !!

If a consumer thinks he did not get the service he paid for - then he has the right to enter a dispute. That's all OP is helping him/her to do. If you did not like my post then shut your eyes and remain silent [courtesy wealdroam' signature]

Collective response to OP and attitude formed has only helped idiosyncrasies that protrude here become more buoyant each day as post & thank count goes high!

More gibberish.

MamaMoo_2

hpuse wrote: »

A trade body representing an entire region (Scotland) has spoken against copycats and their misleading and conning nature.

Yet, some people uphold a two digit score done overnight and form rationales.
Guys, you are simply amazing. Hats off !!

If a consumer thinks he did not get the service he paid for - then he has the right to enter a dispute. That's all OP is helping him/her to do. If you did not like my post then shut your eyes and remain silent [courtesy wealdroam' signature]

Collective response to OP and attitude formed has only helped idiosyncrasies that protrude here become more buoyant each day as post & thank count goes high!

I'm sure the Scots will love the downgrade from "country" to "region".

Also, how are websites being misleading or conning anyone when they clearly state
A) We are not, nor are we affiliated with the DVLA/Passport Office/any official govt agency.

We will fill in your forms and post them to you for a fee of £xx.xx you then need to post these forms to XYZ where there may be additional costs incurred (note how they don't claim to actually provide you with a passport/driving license/EHIC etc. and state exactly what they will do and for what fee)

C) have completely transparent & legal T&C's, and if they appear at the top of search listings due to paying to be there, this is indicated by the "ad" notification next to the advert.

Unfortunately, just because you think you're getting something, that doesn't make it so. If these people had actually bothered to read even the most basic aspect of the website before entering all their personal information and card details, they wouldn't feel so hard done by.

I'm fairly certain that half of the reason people who claim to have been "conned" feel so strongly about this is because they're ashamed to admit that they were so stupid

powerful_Rogue

hpuse wrote: »

to all posters

Firstly, here is some good news for you:-

a) This is my last post in this thread.

I feel conned and misled.

gik

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

I feel conned and misled.

We need someone to tell us the steps to take against hpuse's misleading and conning nature whose idiosyncrasies protrude here and become more buoyant with each passing day.

Pollycat

I agree with gik that hpuse's latest post is mostly gibberish - but Hey! It's only what we've come to expect. :cool:
Hpuse posts this:

hpuse wrote: »

A trade body representing an entire region (Scotland) has spoken against copycats and their misleading and conning nature.

It's all well and good 'speaking out' but what are they doing about it?
Ah. Yes. This:

CONSUMERS are being is encouraged to play their part in cracking down on Scotland’s fake and illicit goods problem.

ONLINE Ts & Cs: Copycat websites have been highlighted lately so ensure that you read the small print on websites and their terms and conditions to avoid being conned.

So they are advising people to take some personal responsibility.

Seems at odds with this from hpuse:

hpuse wrote: »

- There is not point in blaming them if they fail to read.

I think hpuse is so busy posting random links that's he's contradicting himself and tying himself in knots. :rotfl: