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

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

As post seem to disappear into the ether, and the Gov'nments passport service now appears mostly on searches for passports in the UK, this thread has served its purpose. Such it should now be closed, as it is now going off topic, about phishing sites.

Time for a new thread, detailing links to uk gov sites for services, such aas tax return, (which routinely get copied) and other services, car tax and TV tax. This would more reflect where copycat sites are active.

Rant over!

Alpine_Star

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

As post seem to disappear into the ether, and the Gov'nments passport service now appears mostly on searches for passports in the UK

Not really.

Google 'urgent passport application' and the first page brings up more results from copycat type service providers than Government ones.

It's a growing issue.

bod1467

Alpine_Star wrote: »

Not really.

Google 'urgent passport application' and the first page brings up more results from copycat type service providers than Government ones.

It's a growing issue.

But I thought Google's engineers were working 24/7 to remove the copycats from their search listings?

Money-Saving-King

bod1467 wrote: »

But I thought Google's engineers were working 24/7 to remove the copycats from their search listings?

The copycat site owners have obviously been working harder!

hpuse

Some time ago - there was discussion here on premises used for trading activities [copycats] that are potentially classified as fraudulent and how law enforcement can bring charges for the same.

Here you go:

Hough, 41, from Kettering, provided the initial registered office address for Who4. He faces three charges, including conspiracy to defraud.

Copycat news - not old. This thread will long live. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/bills/article-2963777/Four-court-fraud-charges-alleged-copycat-Government-websites.html

hpuse

2014 was the year social media came into its own in making it easier than ever to lodge complaints en masse. While some ads will inevitably split opinion, as the diverse nature of complaints we received shows, last year underlined the importance of our work in cracking down on misleading ads, including copycat websites, that are simply unfair to consumers,” said ASA Chief Executive Guy Parker.

I really hope this won't be the case for 2015 reports.

fermi

Horrendous unfair tactics and abuse of the court system by these. :eek:

UPDATES: - BritishPassportService / UK Passport Offices / UK Services & Support

hpuse

fermi wrote: »

Horrendous unfair tactics and abuse of the court system by these. :eek:

UPDATES: - BritishPassportService / UK Passport Offices / UK Services & Support

Fermi,

On the link above, it says so far 22 consumers reported county court claims injected from BPS copycat website. May I ask, has anyone provided a proof of such a claim for e.g MCOL ref or other channels of claims. I remember you saying you were trying to obtain a copy of claims letter as evidence - were you successful, if so how many were/are genuine?

fermi

Yes they have. All, or nearly all of the 22. There are no doubt many more than 22 out there that are unreported.

EDIT: Forgot to mention those others as well. Potentially very large numbers.

esmerellda

Yes they are all genuine