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

Pollycat

I hope they just give up, annas1974.

But - do come back on here if they get more persistent, we'll do our best to help.

annas1974

I will like to know if you know somebody that is in the same position as my mother in law and if one of this company has won in the court.

powerful_Rogue

annas1974 wrote: »

I will like to know if you know somebody that is in the same position as my mother in law and if one of this company has won in the court.

Not that ive heard of Anna. To be honest, its the first time ive ever seen a company like this asking for payment within 72 hours, even if you dont fully proceed with the transaction.

As Polly has said, if they keep on persisting, come back and we'll help further.

Pollycat

annas1974
There have been lots of posts from people who have actually paid these companies.

Some have had refunds less an admin fee (but the company you used are very clear that they do not give refunds).

Some people say they have been refunded by their bank.

Some say they have been refunded by their bank but then the bank has taken the money back as they later decided that the transaction wasn't fraudulent.

Some people have said they have taken the company to the small claims court and won.

TBH, I can't recall anyone in your situation i.e. you haven't actually paid them anything but are being threatened with court action.

Money-Saving-King

hpuse wrote: »

Wealdroam.....this is for you:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27228416

Have a good weekend guys....stay supportive.

They are in the process of writing the following article for Hpuse:

How to win at Actual Site/Paid For Ad/SEO Ranking Site.

annas1974

Pollycat wrote: »

annas1974
There have been lots of posts from people who have actually paid these companies.

Some have had refunds less an admin fee (but the company you used are very clear that they do not give refunds).

Some people say they have been refunded by their bank.

Some say they have been refunded by their bank but then the bank has taken the money back as they later decided that the transaction wasn't fraudulent.

Some people have said they have taken the company to the small claims court and won.

TBH, I can't recall anyone in your situation i.e. you haven't actually paid them anything but are being threatened with court action.

They told my mil that the bank will close her bank account if they take her to the court.

missprice

annas1974 wrote: »

They told my mil that the bank will close her bank account if they take her to the court.

That my dear is a full on lie.

Cannot happen.

hpuse

There are two different categories of copycat websites:

• unofficial ‘copycat’ websites, which explain within their terms and conditions that they are not affiliated with any Government agency. Although they may look like the official website, if the site clearly states it is not endorsed or affiliated with a government agency and you decide to accept their fee, then the company is not committing any criminal offence.
• misleading websites, which purport to be affiliated and associated with a Government agency and give the impression that you need to apply for the product through them at an extra cost, when in fact they have no such association and the consumer could have quite easily applied themselves for free.

Source: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11187841.Watchdog_warns_Bradford_people_about_web_scams/

Valli

hpuse wrote: »

There are two different categories of copycat websites:

• unofficial ‘copycat’ websites, which explain within their terms and conditions that they are not affiliated with any Government agency. Although they may look like the official website, if the site clearly states it is not endorsed or affiliated with a government agency and you decide to accept their fee, then the company is not committing any criminal offence.
• misleading websites, which purport to be affiliated and associated with a Government agency and give the impression that you need to apply for the product through them at an extra cost, when in fact they have no such association and the consumer could have quite easily applied themselves for free.

Source: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11187841.Watchdog_warns_Bradford_people_about_web_scams/

Waits for hpuse to amend OP

for the UMPTEENTH time:rotfl:I mean, after all, it's almost a month since the last edit!

annas1974

My mother in law, today has received a letter to pay, I told her to ignored it and to call the the real passport office to check if any appointment has been made in her name. The passport office has confirmed that there is no any appointment in her name for that day. The only appointment is the one she booked herself.