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

hpuse

Whether it is copycating or faking - only one section pays the price...i.e consumers!
http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/fake-firm-uses-edinburgh-lawyers-to-scam-consumers-1-3697448

fermi

http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/trading-standards-issues-passport-warning-8751523

fermi

Latest stories in the Mail on Sunday on Richard Howards and his British Passport Services site.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-2984140/NOTHING-DECLARE-s-happy-charge-huge-fees-send-emails-threatening-customers-court-MoS-tracks-Passport-Profiteer-dingy-industrial-unit-unusually-silent.html

and

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/bills/article-2983073/Jeff-Prestridge-grills-Richard-Howard-British-Passport-Services.html

hpuse

Statistically, there were around 20 to 30 post a day precisely between March and May 2014, saying OP is full of ill-advises.

All OP was trying to do is, enable this:

They were sent to 51-year-old Ann Thompson after she managed to claim back from her credit card provider a £117.60 payment made when she wanted to change her surname on her passport

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-2984140/NOTHING-DECLARE-s-happy-charge-huge-fees-send-emails-threatening-customers-court-MoS-tracks-Passport-Profiteer-dingy-industrial-unit-unusually-silent.html

esmerellda

Lots of people have managed to get their money back via their credit card company, mainly due to no service having been provided, or being provided AFTER cancellation.

Sadly many of those people are now receiving threats of criminal action and county court claims for the money. The claims have no basis so far as I am concerned, however it can be extremely distressing and worrying for those affected.

So just a reminder, if you DO received a court claim from this company DO NOT IGNORE it, seek advice from CAB, a Law Centre, or, if you want help fighting it yourself, we've set up a dedicated forum area on LegalBeagles.

There are now at least 35 court claims being defended so the tide is turning, slowly.

hpuse

esmerellda wrote: »

Lots of people have managed to get their money back via their credit card company, mainly due to no service having been provided, or being provided AFTER cancellation.

Sadly many of those people are now receiving threats of criminal action and county court claims for the money. The claims have no basis so far as I am concerned, however it can be extremely distressing and worrying for those affected.

So just a reminder, if you DO received a court claim from this company DO NOT IGNORE it, seek advice from CAB, a Law Centre, or, if you want help fighting it yourself, we've set up a dedicated forum area on LegalBeagles.

There are now at least 35 court claims being defended so the tide is turning, slowly.

I have update OP again with Court claims info.
Oh, by the way - if anyone has any issue seeing OP being updated, please report to forum admin.

hpuse

Not just government, copycatism i.e cheap online imitations are spreading to the private sector as well..
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/16/travel/qantas-fake-free-first-class-tickets/


And...the support for this is obviously diminishing here, for all the good reasons I suppose?

bod1467

hpuse wrote: »

And...the support for this is obviously diminishing here, for all the good reasons I suppose?

#1 There was never ANY support for such activities here. You keep making that up. (Saying something was legal doesn't mean it was supported).

#2 I guess we're all just bored with you now, hence why there aren't many more replies. We'd just be going round in circles with you anyway ... see #1 above.

fermi

fermi

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/mar/18/government-250000-tackle-e-crime