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

hpuse

wealdroam wrote: »

It's worth repeating... here it is again:

Jennifer Hampton, senior trading standards officer, advises checking that the site you use is not a third party agency before offering up payment details.

Hpuse, I can only guess you didn't notice that the first time.

May be you haven't noticed the title of this thread as well and what was highlighted in red underneath the quote above belongs to this

powerful_Rogue

hpuse wrote: »

If anyone ended up paying money to any of the websites mentioned in this thread please do the following.

1) Read what you are about to purchase. 10 seconds reading what you are about to buy could save you purchasing something you dont actually need.

2) So you ignored step 1 eh?! Ok, Im presuming you didnt bother to check the terms and conditions? Ok, do it now! The site may go above and beyond what they legally have to and offer a refund.

3) No joy? Im afraid to say, this has been an expensive lesson to look at what you purchase in future.

dannny_2

peachyprice wrote: »

There is no misrepresentation.

https://www.passport-uk.co.uk/

ASA disagree with you

http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/12/IQ-Channels-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_242630.aspx

We were concerned, however, that that information was included in the body copy of the ad and users had to scroll down the page before they were presented with a full explanation of the service. In addition, we noted that bold headline text at the top of the page stated "Complete your passport application online ..." and was accompanied by a number of "Apply now" buttons. We considered that a number of consumers, particularly those who had clicked through from a sponsored link, might have accessed the application form without reading the text further down the home page, and would therefore be unaware of the true nature of the service. Because of that, we concluded that the ad was misleading. On that point, ad (b) breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising).

This decision was made on 4 December 2013, and the company have failed to rectify the situation.

peachyprice

dannny wrote: »

ASA disagree with you

http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/12/IQ-Channels-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_242630.aspx

This decision was made on 4 December 2013, and the company have failed to rectify the situation.

Have they?

This is slap bang in the middle of the screen, you don't have to scroll down to the bottom of a page to read it.

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.

dannny_2

peachyprice wrote: »

Have they?

Well, ASA seem to think so

ad (b) breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising)

My screen actually shows to the 4 "Apply Now" buttons. Anything below that you have to scroll.

Pollycat

dannny wrote: »

ASA disagree with you

http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/12/IQ-Channels-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_242630.aspx

This decision was made on 4 December 2013, and the company have failed to rectify the situation.

So what are ASA going to do about it?

Fine them?
Throw them in jail?
Chop their hands off?
Stone them to death?

Ah, I see.
They've told them:

The ads must not appear again in their current form. We told Passport-UK to clearly communicate the nature of their service and the fact that the fee for their service did not include the fee levied by HMPO for a Passport, in their marketing communications. In addition, we told them to ensure they did not misleadingly imply that they were the official HMPO.

So Passport-UK will change their websites to make it clear - just as lots of websites offering similar goods/services have done over the last few years - and still some people will use them because they don't always read the relevant information before producing their credit card.

Unless some body or organisation with teeth do something, these websites will continue.

peachyprice

dannny wrote: »

Well, ASA seem to think so

My screen actually shows to the 4 "Apply Now" buttons. Anything below that you have to scroll.

I meant have they failed to change the website. You said the relevant info used to be at the bottom of the page, it isn't, so have they failed to rectify?

If you put it right at the top of the page in red flashing bold there would still be people who failed to read it, you cannot legislate for peoples inability to fail to read and understand what is in front of them, there will always be people that only see the 'apply now' buttons no matter where they are.

dannny_2

peachyprice wrote: »

I meant have they failed to change the website. You said the relevant info used to be at the bottom of the page, it isn't, so have they failed to rectify?

I didn't. I have only quoted the ASA who stated it was in the body, and further down the page. As far as I can see it still is.

We were concerned, however, that that information was included in the body copy of the ad and users had to scroll down the page before they were presented with a full explanation of the service.

might have accessed the application form without reading the text further down the home page

Pollycat

dannny wrote: »

This decision was made on 4 December 2013, and the company have failed to rectify the situation.

dannny
where does it say in the link to ASA.org that Passport-UK have failed to rectify the situation?

Or where does it say that anywhere?

meer53

Second Step:

a) Call the bank or credit card company and tell them you would like open a dispute. Give all the details of the transactions including date/time, website name and personals/email address and correspondences received when complained to the company(first step). If required, they will ask for copies all correspondences you have had with this company.

Having dealt with many of these queries, this information is incorrect and very misleading for people who have used these websites. OP, i suggest you remove this from your post.

Banks cannot dispute transactions where the company have advised that they ARE NOT affiliated to the organisations they are offering services for. They aren't doing anything wrong, if people choose to use a service without reading ALL the information WHEREVER IT IS on the website, then they are agreeing to the T & C's.