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

hpuse

Valli wrote: »

Shame that nobody is dealing with a rogue trader conman then.

These are legal businesses, operating within the law and not 'conning' people out of money. Rather, they have a cunning business model whereby they provide a form-filling 'service'.

Now we KNOW that not all the customers who buy the service may not realise what they are buying but they are NOT dealing with conmen.

This is why Action Fraud aren't interested.
This is why Trading Standards aren't interested.

The word 'interest' in the above post is very subjective.
This twitter link does seem to suggest there is some 'interest' from Action Fraud.

meer53

The best way to spot a copycat website is to read what it says on the website. If it says "we are not affiliated or linked to ..(insert name).. then avoid at all costs unless you are incapable of filling in forms for yourself. Why people need to be advised on how to spot the bleedin obvious i have no idea.

No need for Action Fraud or any other organisation. I suggest that if people can't read and understand what they're paying for, they shouldn't be allowed access to the internet without a grown up being present.

powerful_Rogue

meer53 wrote: »

The best way to spot a copycat website is to read what it says on the website. If it says "we are not affiliated or linked to ..(insert name).. then avoid at all costs unless you are incapable of filling in forms for yourself. Why people need to be advised on how to spot the bleedin obvious i have no idea.

No need for Action Fraud or any other organisation. I suggest that if people can't read and understand what they're paying for, they shouldn't be allowed access to the internet without a grown up being present.

Exactly :T

Ive posted this a couple of times now, but this is on the homepage of one of these sites. I dont think they could make it any easier to understand what you are about to purchase.

hpuse

Copycats are gone.....for ever I hope..
Only ads now appearing in google are the land registry ones.

A new business model for the defunct ...:rotfl:

missprice

Still get copy cat sites when I Google passport renewal.

So don't know what your talking about

RichardD1970

hpuse wrote: »

Copycats are gone.....for ever I hope..
Only ads now appearing in google are the land registry ones.

A new business model for the defunct ...:rotfl:

No they haven't, google "passport renewal" and PassportUK are the 4th entry.

Although right at the top of the landing screen is this,

A similar checking service can be obtained from a Post Office at a reduced fee or you can apply without a checking service where there will be no checking fee payable.
We are not affiliated with Post Office, HMPO or any government body.

And directly under the row of 4 "Apply now buttons" is,

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.

Don't know about the ads because I have ad blocking software and would never use the ads anyway because I know that adverts are there for one purpose only - to sell stuff.

peachyprice

Yes, it's still there as the 4th entry, but there's no pink box with paid for ads anymore, same for driving licence.

EHIC still has a paid as as the first entry though, so does tax returns.

Hopefully that means this whole sorry, misleading, edited to death thread can finally be put to bed.

hpuse

Trader (including copycat websites) should never ever underestimate the power of a buyer community.
Here is the link to another thread that discusses government action on these copycat rip-off nasty data ripping websites.

Valli

hpuse wrote: »

Copycats are gone.....for ever I hope..
Only ads now appearing in google are the land registry ones.

missprice wrote: »

Still get copy cat sites when I Google passport renewal.

So don't know what your talking about

peachyprice wrote: »

Yes, it's still there as the 4th entry, but there's no pink box with paid for ads anymore, same for driving licence.

EHIC still has a paid as as the first entry though, so does tax returns.

Hopefully that means this whole sorry, misleading, edited to death thread can finally be put to bed.

and, once again, OP COMPLETELY IGNORES posts which contradict his assertion.

OF COURSE they're not gone.

So what power, exactly, are you referring to?

hpuse

Valli wrote: »

and, once again, OP COMPLETELY IGNORES posts which contradict his assertion.

OF COURSE they're not gone.

So what power, exactly, are you referring to?

Of course - copycat ads are now removed by google. please varify this by yourself.
Without advertisement, they exist purely as URL's on google search results page.

The only place you would find them is search results, but gov.uk websites appear first and top of the ranks.. I am thinking google will forcefully de-rank them, so they will soon move down the list.

So, basically they now exist on Data centres as money consuming hosting resources ....:rotfl: now simply waste of space for their proprietors in my view.
unless someone scrolls down and click them from google search results. hahahaha