Tax online - copycat website warning

Marvel1

peter_the_piper wrote: »

But only a very small one. It is designed to look exactly like the official one, down to the same tabs on the left side.I though Google were not going to put these on their search pages.

I didn't find it by Google, they seem to have stopped.

It was on Yahoo Answers, when I answered someone's question about car tax and came under the ads, being curious I looked at the page to see what they were charging (knew it was one of those before).

Netwizard wrote: »

As long as people read the very first page, they will know what they are getting into (but lets be honest, people don't need things properly, hence why there is so many posts on this forum about such sites):

You may find the following information useful:
By proceeding to apply online, you have agreed to our terms and conditions. We comply with Data Protection Act and assure that this data will only be used to process your application. You will be asked to provide your personal information, you must review the Terms of Business and Privacy Policy. Our service is not connected to or affiliated with the GOV.UK or Driving Vehicle Licence Agency and acts as an agent processing the application. These services are available from other government sources without the additional service fee. The additional benefit of using this website include, instant email confirmation, 24/7 online support, application checked for errors & omissions, telephone application service and full compliance with data protection act.

Seems pretty clear to me? If people are silly enough to fall for it, then so be it.

Some people apply for a tax disc online and answer Yes to:
Does the V5C registration certificate hold your current address? Please note, this service cannot change your address.

When it's their old address or not even keeper but just used the new keeper supplement.

Johno100 wrote: »

So do you think it's just a coincidence that the colour scheme, layout and overall design of the site is almost identical to the official site?

Also the wording for the Yes/No options.

robatwork

What a thoroughly horrible website - even the little arrow in the D.
The contact phone number for the "real" DVLA is obviously one they are getting a kickback from.

Result of WHOIS query:


Domain name:
taxdisc-direct.co.uk

Registrant:
claire Hall

Registrant type:
UK Individual

Registrant's address:
Unit 2
The Old Stables
West Tisted
Alresford
Hants
SO24 0HJ
United Kingdom

Registrar:
Webfusion Ltd t/a 123-reg [Tag = 123-REG]
URL: http://www.123-reg.co.uk

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 08-Dec-2013
Expiry date: 08-Dec-2015
Last updated: 18-Mar-2014

Registration status:
Registered until expiry date.

Name servers:
ns.123-reg.co.uk
ns2.123-reg.co.uk

WHOIS lookup made at 16:54:28 23-Mar-2014

doningtonphil

plenty of comments about it looking just like the real DVLA website. Well if someone had managed to find the real DVLA site to know what it looks like, why would they then make their way to this website?


it does annoy me when people blindly get 'click-happy' on a website and then say it wasn't their fault that they didn't read the numerous 'warnings' about it not being the real site.

[Deleted User]

I'm sure someone posted on here a few weeks ago after being scammed by this fake tax disc site.

Mr_Mink

"The additional benefit of using this website include, instant email confirmation, 24/7 online support, application checked for errors & omissions, telephone application service and full compliance with data protection act."

An additional benefit of full compliance with the data protection act. Haha, and there was me thinking that compliance with the data protection act was mandatory for every company.

[Deleted User]

Claire Hall has been busy with this scam site too...

http://driving-practical-test.co.uk

Kinikat

I too have just discovered that I have been caught by this website!

I always renew my tax online and even had my renewal notice to hand. I did not intentionally go on their website, but when you type in the DVLA website address they come up first in the search. Their site looks almost identical to the DVLA; my 12 month's tax for my car should have been £30, TaxDisc Direct charged me £70! I did not find out until I looked at my account online today. ... I even rang the DVLA to advise them that they had taken too much from my account, it wasn't until I looked closer at my account that I realised it was not the DVLA. They are very sly, I thought it was strange when the amount was not confirmed when I put my card details in, but as I thought I was on the DVLA website, I trusted it. I have since noticed the small print that they charge a £40 service charge for additional services none of which I want or require, if you cancel your application with them, they only refund the £40 so it would still cost me £60 if I then went through the DVLA! I feel very stupid and angry with myself and would not want anyone to be caught out in the same way. :mad:

Many people on here with a "holier than thou" attitude, they may think that it would never happen to them, but I thought exactly the same; it's far too easy!

Netwizard

Johno100 wrote: »

So do you think it's just a coincidence that the colour scheme, layout and overall design of the site is almost identical to the official site?

Of course not, but this just proves that people do not read things properly before reading! It even tells you the proper website address on the tax reminder form. If you have even an ounce of common sense, there is no reason at all to get conned by these sites!

Kinikat wrote: »

Many people on here with a "holier than thou" attitude, they may think that it would never happen to them, but I thought exactly the same; it's far too easy!

Why search on google rather than just typing the website address into the address bar at the top of the screen? No chance of mistakes then! Assumption is the mother of all **** ups!

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Netwizard wrote: »

Of course not, but this just proves that people do not read things properly before reading! It even tells you the proper website address on the tax reminder form. If you have even an ounce of common sense, there is no reason at all to get conned by these sites!



Why search on google rather than just typing the website address into the address bar at the top of the screen? No chance of mistakes then! Assumption is the mother of all **** ups!

It's called fraud, and why should the Internet be an excuse for people deceiving you? Con men succeed by being plausible and any should we expect people to be experts in IT, especially when the Government is pushing the Internet as the way to do things?

Netwizard

IanMSpencer wrote: »

It's called fraud, and why should the Internet be an excuse for people deceiving you? Con men succeed by being plausible and any should we expect people to be experts in IT, especially when the Government is pushing the Internet as the way to do things?

I still don't understand how they are doing anything wrong. They freely admit on the website that their services are free elsewhere on the .GOV website and that they are providing a checking service (which, if you pay them, I assume they give you the service you are paying for).

I repeat again, If people can't actually be bothered to read things properly before entering their card details online, then more fool them.

Same with the EHIC websites. I don't know of anyone caught out by any of these sites. They make money off the stupid, of which there are plenty around obviously, and if all these sites are so dodgy, why haven't they been taken down yet?