Avoid Passport Shyster Sites

MSE_Helen_S

Hi!

This is the discussion thread for the

60 Second guide to Passport (renewal) guide.

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Thanks folks,



Helen

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Now sorted!

Karibukid

I was caught by a Passport Shyster site. I noticed a transaction on my Barclaycard account online. When I Googled the site name I found this forum & many other victims. It was obvious from others that it was no good emailing or phoning so I just reported it as a fraudulent transaction. Barclaycard replaced my card & about 2 weeks later I got a letter saying they had sorted it & the £45 was credited. A good result I think.

tomtontom

Karibukid wrote: »

I was caught by a Passport Shyster site. I noticed a transaction on my Barclaycard account online. When I Googled the site name I found this forum & many other victims. It was obvious from others that it was no good emailing or phoning so I just reported it as a fraudulent transaction. Barclaycard replaced my card & about 2 weeks later I got a letter saying they had sorted it & the £45 was credited. A good result I think.

But the transaction was not fraudulent?

Tweenieleenie

Both my husband and I have been caught out by Passport.net. at a cost of £72.50 and we have only just found out because the Passport office sent us a letter advising our passports have not been processed due to us not having enclosed payment.. I cannot believe these web sites are legal and they can charge you, more so that the charge you the exact amount of £72.50 which is how much a passport costs which makes them even more fraudulent as you wouldn't question it.. I have tried going onto their web site today and (surprise, surprise)!! They now have a declaration in large writing which they did not have back in Feb.. I am now really worried as I am due to go on holiday on the 25th April for a BIG birthday and now having to find the money to pay for another passport. BE WARNED THESE WEB SITES ARE OUT TO DUPE YOU OF MONEY THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO PAY.

zerog

Passport.net is owned by Microsoft.

Why do people only bother with their passports after spending thousands on a non-refundable holiday?

A passport is valid for 10 years and if you can't afford £13 per year (costs £130 to apply from overseas, or if ID cards were not scrapped) then you can't afford to go on holiday either.

wanttostopacon

I too have just found out that i have paid £46 to Passport.net for just a completed form and not for my daughter's actual renewed passport. I'm so distressed by this, i can't believe that these websites can do this! i'm usually savvy on websites but i've been caught out on this one! I have contacted Trading Standards and bank, both can do nothing to help me. If anyone gets any joy on a refund please post it! :-(

haggis1960

i was caught out thought i was paying for passport until i received the forms and was asked to pay £69.50 for each one and then the £72.50 each for the real passport so annoyed at being caught out

Caz3121

wanttostopacon wrote: »

I too have just found out that i have paid £46 to Passport.net for just a completed form and not for my daughter's actual renewed passport. I'm so distressed by this, i can't believe that these websites can do this! i'm usually savvy on websites but i've been caught out on this one! I have contacted Trading Standards and bank, both can do nothing to help me. If anyone gets any joy on a refund please post it! :-(

If it was uk-passport.net - the information is on their site about what to do re obtaining refund

Cancellation/Refund Policy
We charge a service fee of £72.50 for completing the online passport application process. You may cancel your application for our service at any time up until we have processed your application and completed our service.
If you cancel before we have processed your application, we will issue a full refund. If the application has been processed we will refund the full payment less a £8.00 administration fee
If you wish to exercise your right to cancel, please contact us in writing (email is best), as follows:
We are more than happy to issue a refund, but we can only issue refunds direct to your bank account.


I am not sure if they have been made to change their website (not looked at it before) but the Disclaimer is right in the middle of the Home page and a breakdown of their fees....I do not agree with these companies but they are relying on people not reading the information given to them and ticking "I have read the Ts&Cs" button, without looking at them

louloubelle79

So annoyed paid £69 x3 and just found out not legit! Rang CAB, ASSA, credit card company no one can advise how to try and get refund, website has taken down its address and cannot contact them

Caz3121

louloubelle79 wrote: »

So annoyed paid £69 x3 and just found out not legit! Rang CAB, ASSA, credit card company no one can advise how to try and get refund, website has taken down its address and cannot contact them

which website?