Are you a shyster site victim for EHICs, passports and other renewals?

butchx5

I nearly got caught out when applying for a tax rebate for my son - I only DIDN'T fall for it as I was suspicious when the paperwork required me to sign to agree for the rebate to be paid into the companies bank account - it was that that made me stop and search further and after much delving worked out they had sent me the forms - I would complete them - they would post them to HMRC and then receive the payment on my behalf - take their cut and then forward me a cheque for the remainder.

I complete self assessment tax forms for myself and my husband every year and still nearly fell for it - the site was VERY convincing and used all the correct Government logos, etc.

Also husband is a driving instructor and we have had several pupils caught out by the services booking both the theory and practical tests. Luckily they have all managed to get their monies back and book through the correct site.

sunandsnow

My son got caught applying for a new driving licence. He paid £90, £50 for the licence and £40 for the service! they have DVLA in their title so he thought they were the DVLA. He tried to contact them as he realised he had made a mistake on the submission- but no reply whatsoever. Thats when I took a look and realised he had been scammed. They do say they are a 3rd party agent but he missed it...hard lesson learnt.
They may be acting just within the law but they are definitely not an ethical company or they wouldnt be hiding behind 1 method of contact. Using a third party is fine if they actually do check your application and follow it through and these guys definitely are not.
Biggest problem is where to report them. I tried to get in touch with Trading Standards but I just ended up with advice from Citizens Advice Bureau which unfortunately was a waste of time.
Who can take it further....
It is saddening to think that the government agencies accept applications from these dodgy agents, they should only accept from nominated agencies (ie Post Office for their check and send service for passports who are honest and transparent about what they do) and individuals.
I will be very interested if anyone can suggest how and where to report these companies....

BobbinAlong

If you google Land Registry there are these fakers sites that want to charge loads of money for a service the actual official Land Registry provide for £4.

lkmc01

My partner got caught out with his fishing licence form. He should have gone to Environment Agency but instead went to http://www.rodlicence.net/ The licence should have been £27, he paid £20 ontop of this. I was not happy, but the money came out of his birthday money so didn't affect anything but him.

rih2010

I booked my missus's (practical) driving test through one of these sites around 3 years ago. The mark-up in price wasn't massive (about 20%-ish) but I was furious that I'd been had. Thankfully when the time came, she passed first time so lightning didn't have chance to strike twice!

ernie-money

the health & safety test you need to do to get a CSCS card, for work within the construction industry http://www.cscs.uk.com/cscs-cards/health-and-safety-test, should normally cost £17.50, but other sites charge more than double just to book you on.

oscar77

I got caught out applying for 2 x visas for Sri Lanka last year - instead of $30(£24.90) each we paid $55(£45.44) from a site called Estaplus. I tried to cancel it when I realised what I had done but to no avail. I hope I won't make that mistake again!!!

chrisjgregory

I was searching for DVLA to get a refund of Vehicle Tax after taking my car to the scrapyard, and I ended up on v5c.org.uk whose website looks very genuine but they charge for a service that DVLA do for free (if you can find the right page).

Sara.H

I got caught out when I needed a copy of my divorce certificate - paid £23.50 to a website who never responded and didn't send the certificate - subsequently got one from the local Register for about a third of the price...at least it made me more vigilant but was an expensive lesson!!

penrhyn

Off topic, but the recreation of Flywheel Shyster and Flywheel on BBC radio 4 extra is well worth a listen.