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

Poldhu

I'd like to put a word in here with regard to the fact that people who fail to recognize that these sites are not operated by the relevant government departments, are lacking in intelligence. I fell for this chicanery when ordering a birth certificate some time ago, not because I am in any way stupid or lazy, but primarily because I had no idea at the time, that such sites existed.
Therefore, when I googled 'Birth certificate applications' and a cleverly designed clone of the legitimate site appeared at the top of the search, I had no idea that I was being misled. Why should I look for a notice telling me that things weren't as they seemed? Had I been aware of these copycat sites I no doubt would have checked. My main concern was obtaining a replacement birth certificate.
It's all very well being wise after the event, but I do think it's a bit out of order to scoff at those who have made this mistake.

gb12345

Poldhu wrote: »

I'd like to put a word in here with regard to the fact that people who fail to recognize that these sites are not operated by the relevant government departments, are lacking in intelligence. I fell for this chicanery when ordering a birth certificate some time ago, not because I am in any way stupid or lazy, but primarily because I had no idea at the time, that such sites existed.
Therefore, when I googled 'Birth certificate applications' and a cleverly designed clone of the legitimate site appeared at the top of the search, I had no idea that I was being misled. Why should I look for a notice telling me that things weren't as they seemed? Had I been aware of these copycat sites I no doubt would have checked. My main concern was obtaining a replacement birth certificate.
It's all very well being wise after the event, but I do think it's a bit out of order to scoff at those who have made this mistake.

You sound like the type of person who also ends up ordering fake goods from dodgy Chinese sites because you didn't think to check who you were buying from.

You might no be stupid, but you are lazy, because you couldn't be bothered to spend the 30 seconds to find out who you were dealing with, what you are signing up for or what their reputation is like - is seems you haven't learnt your lesson if your other thread is anything to go by.

Valli

Poldhu wrote: »

I'd like to put a word in here with regard to the fact that people who fail to recognize that these sites are not operated by the relevant government departments, are lacking in intelligence. I fell for this chicanery when ordering a birth certificate some time ago, not because I am in any way stupid or lazy, but primarily because I had no idea at the time, that such sites existed.
Therefore, when I googled 'Birth certificate applications' and a cleverly designed clone of the legitimate site appeared at the top of the search, I had no idea that I was being misled. Why should I look for a notice telling me that things weren't as they seemed? Had I been aware of these copycat sites I no doubt would have checked. My main concern was obtaining a replacement birth certificate.
It's all very well being wise after the event, but I do think it's a bit out of order to scoff at those who have made this mistake.

In a differently-coloured box, along with similar sites possibly, and identified as a sponsored link.

missprice

I just googled replacement birth cert and opened 3 sites, 3 from ads (1 not get security so unable to open properly) and the legit .gov one.

They all look different and the 2 advert ones both clearly state on opening page

Affiliation
UK Replacement Certificates are agents who act in the provision of replacement certificates, legalisation and consular services. We are an independent agency and are not affiliated with the General Register Office or any other government body

Or similar warnings. What more is needed to stop people using them?

Money-Saving-King

missprice wrote: »

Or similar warnings. What more is needed to stop people using them?

A massive sign with 10 inch writing surrounded by strobe flashing & a 1000db message about as loud as a very loud tannoy system telling them it's not the government version.

Actually no, that wouldn't work either!

hpuse

How to get your money back if you have been caught by taxreturngateway

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jan/30/get-money-back-taxreturngateway

powerful_Rogue

hpuse wrote: »

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jan/30/get-money-back-taxreturngateway

Not a single mention in the article of contacting your bank or building society?

gb12345

hpuse wrote: »

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jan/30/get-money-back-taxreturngateway

I don't see any mention in that article of raising a dispute with your bank, so perhaps you will now remove that incorrect information from your OP.

hpuse

gb12345 wrote: »

I don't see any mention in that article of raising a dispute with your bank, so perhaps you will now remove that incorrect information from your OP.

Raising a dispute with the bank is very important....

Reasons:

Consumer has a contract with bank. Bank will investigate and protect the best interest of the customer, in reasonable circumstances that they think that lead to a dispute.

Raising a dispute with the bank will allow the bank to investigate on the trader's circumstances (for e.g fraudulent claims as in the case copycat websites, they are now being investigated by Trading Standards and Advertising Standard Authority ).

Raising a dispute with the bank may result in charge back , which means money is refunded to the consumer.

Upon investigation, bank will understand that trader was relying on the customer for not reading terms and conditions to get away with the sale, which is unfair.
Hence the banks can use their authority to enforce a charge back on the trader. Which also means, the trader will lose the money he gained from the sale plus additional cost to the trader.

Charge back also means full amount paid is refunded to the consumer.

Charge back cost money to the trader...it is around £30 to £50 per charge back levied on the trader depending on the bank

Charge back discourages traders from unfair trading practices.

More number of charge back means traders merchant account suspended....

Hence so forth, raising is dispute with the bank is very very very important to expose financial rip-off and jointly tackling unfair trading practices .

hpuse

@gb12345

Had you kept quite, I wouldn't have posted #403, so now you tell me - whos' fault it is ? :j:j:j. Not mine ?