Government Action on Copycat Rip-off Websites

wantmemoney

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2014/03/crackdown-on-copycat-websites-357409/

Crackdown on copycat websites
Which? calls for ongoing tough approach
02 March 2014

Action is being taken to tackle rogue websites which masquerade as providing legitimate government services, after new Which? research highlighted how consumers have been left out of pocket.

The Cabinet Office has today confirmed it is working with online search engines, including Google, the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) and Which? to tackle the problem of copycat websites.


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/google-urged-to-remove-copycat-websites-charging-substantial-fees-for-government-services-from-search-rankings-9162933.html

Google urged to remove copycat websites charging substantial fees for Government services from search rankings
02 MARCH 2014

Senior figures from Google’s UK headquarters have been summoned by ministers and advised to remove from search rankings the copycat websites which are charging substantial fees for Government services including applications for passports and driving licences.

Ministers have concerns that rogue sites – especially those dealing with tax returns and passport applications - are not only charging users for services which are of no added value but are collating personal data which may not be securely stored and could be used in identity theft fraud.

After talks with Communications minister Ed Vaizey, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude and Civil Society Minister Nick Hurd, Google has agreed to take down a number of sponsored adverts for sites that were not offering valid services. “Our objective is to ensure that people find legitimate government websites – particularly for tax, driving licences, passports and congestion charge – at the top of their search rankings rather than get diverted to sites that don’t add any value, cost them money and take their personal details,” said Mr Vaizey.

powerful_Rogue

We dont see you for ages, then you post 11 minutes after your AE "hpuse" posts!

hpuse

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

We dont see you for ages, then you post 11 minutes after your AE "hpuse" posts!

Powerful_R,
There is also a possibility that two agents operating at the same time?

hpuse

This shows the power of a consumer....Yes, the real power.

Traders only come second, so does their carefully crafted small print and t&c's. Well done which.
I hope soon all the copycats will be closed in coffin and posters here will have to find another thread to yell ...

Pollycat

From the link provided by wantmemoney:

Although it's not against the law for a company to offer a service similar to an official body, the website should carry a clear disclaimer explaining that it’s not official or affiliated in any way.

These websites have learned that they can continue operating by having a clear disclaimer explaining that it’s not official or affiliated in any way.

We've all seen the screenshots posted on numerous threads that show these disclaimers.

Will that stop people using these websites?
Of course it won't because they don't follow this advice from Which:

Read the homepage Take a couple of minutes to double-check the site - don’t dive into filling out an application form. Visit the homepage and read the text there. It may even declare the site is not officially affiliated with the official body

I welcome this agreement by Google to make sure these websites don't appear first and hope it will help to stop so many people being caught out (and of course obviate the need for hpuse's 'Steps to take......thread).

shaun_from_Africa

hpuse wrote: »

Powerful_R,
There is also a possibility that two agents operating at the same time?

But as James Bond discovered on many occasions, isn't there also a good possibility that it's not two agents, simply one double agent?

hpuse

These copycats always had the benefit of "first link" that hit the eyes of a googler.

Google has shut copycat ads and it is now a thing of past.

I really think they will struggle to find business from their no-link-to-click and vanished business model :rotfl:

hpuse

Pollycat wrote: »

From the link provided by wantmemoney:
These websites have learned that they can continue operating by having a clear disclaimer explaining that it’s not official or affiliated in any way.

We've all seen the screenshots posted on numerous threads that show these disclaimers.

Will that stop people using these websites?
Of course it won't because they don't follow this advice from Which:
I welcome this agreement by Google to make sure these websites don't appear first and hope it will help to stop so many people being caught out (and of course obviate the need for hpuse's 'Steps to take......thread).

People will stop using copycat sites when these copycat site URL links do not appear in search engine results?
Copycats are everywhere, be it government service, fashion industry or technology. Copycats are a menace and disgrace.... do you agree, Pollycat?

Pollycat

I thought you had me on 'ingore' (sic), hpuse.

hpuse wrote: »

I am going to click ingore on Pollycat from now on simply becuase do not have time to respond.

hpuse wrote: »

People will stop using copycat sites when these copycat site URL links do not appear in search engine results?

I can't make out if the above is a question or not. I would think so as you have used a question mark at the end but it does not make sense.

hpuse wrote: »

Copycats are everywhere, be it government service, fashion industry or technology.

But we are not talking about the fashion industry or technology.

We are talking about websites that are designed to look very similar to the official (often Government) ones to catch people who (to quote Which) "dive into filling out application forms'.

hpuse wrote: »

Copycats are a menace and disgrace.... do you agree, Pollycat?

Why are you asking this?

What part of this sentence do you not understand?

Pollycat wrote: »

I welcome this agreement by Google to make sure these websites don't appear first and hope it will help to stop so many people being caught out (and of course obviate the need for hpuse's 'Steps to take......thread).

zaax

but people still but counterfeit goods

Pollycat

zaax wrote: »

but people still but counterfeit goods

Yes, but that has no relevance to the websites that are being discussed on this thread.