Rod Licence Scam

archer123

I needed a Fishing Rod Licence, so searched DuckDuckGo and they offered me a link to the Environment Agency (so I thought) - called Environment-Agency.gb. The link went straight to the form to complete for a Rod Licence, and then the payment page.
There was no mention of the fee being higher than expected.
I later discovered that there was a second link to an scam outfit - called RodLicence.net that adds £5 extra for the 'service'.
I have asked for a refund as it appears to act outside of the new Consumer Distance Selling Regulatons, as it didn't give me the amount it was charging to my card, the link was directly to the payment form, not the home page, so the charges were not made clear. And the support numbers were charged at £1.53/minute, not local rates.
I though the idea of the new Regulations was to shut these scam sites down??
Any suggestions as to how I get my money back?

agrinnall

You might be able to try a Chargeback with your card issuer, although that may depend on whether you actually did get a licence or not.

The first URL that you mention actually ends .gb.net (.gb is not a valid domain) but is very clearly marked on DuckDuckGo as a Sponsored Link, and is immediately followed by a link to the .gov.uk page on Fishing Rod Licences - take this as a lesson on evaluation of search results.

archer123

Tesco is the card issuer, but they offer no help, as yet. So I escalated to the fraud prevention group and they said they would investigate.
The key here, is that DuckDuckGo, who claim to be a more ethical search engine, presented this at the top of the list AND gave the link straight to the Rod Licence form, rather than the Home page.
This is how I was hoodwinked. No mention of additional charges and no mention of the additional fees when I pressed Pay Now, either.
I thought the new legislation was aimed at stamping out these scam artists.

OlliesDad

archer123 wrote: »

Tesco is the card issuer, but they offer no help, as yet. So I escalated to the fraud prevention group and they said they would investigate.
The key here, is that DuckDuckGo, who claim to be a more ethical search engine, presented this at the top of the list AND gave the link straight to the Rod Licence form, rather than the Home page.
This is how I was hoodwinked. No mention of additional charges and no mention of the additional fees when I pressed Pay Now, either.
I thought the new legislation was aimed at stamping out these scam artists.

The link you clicked was in a different colour and had "Sponsored ad" below it. DuckDuckGo allows you to go into the settings and turn off the ads.

archer123

Thanks. Ok, you can turn off the ads, but DuckDuckGo still list it near the top and it can still be clicked by the unwitting user. When I searched DuckDuckGo I got a link straight into the Application Form.
Can someone answer the question about whether the new consumer legislation, of 13 June 2014, was designed to stamp out these scam websites? I was lead to believe it was. And who enforces the new regulations? Anyone?

OlliesDad

archer123 wrote: »

Thanks. Ok, you can turn off the ads, but DuckDuckGo still list it near the top and it can still be clicked by the unwitting user. When I searched DuckDuckGo I got a link straight into the Application Form.
Can someone answer the question about whether the new consumer legislation, of 13 June 2014, was designed to stamp out these scam websites? I was lead to believe it was. And who enforces the new regulations? Anyone?

It is listed at the top because the company pay for it to be there. I found the same link and it does indeed take you to the application form page.

On the home page it does make it clear it is not the official site as well as in the t's and c's. As far as I am aware the new regulations do not make these sites illegal, however, they should still abide by UK regulations which I believe state the price needs to be clear before the contract is concluded.

philatio

Just because you clicked the wrong link does not make it fraud. It doesn't say it's the official government website, you just assumed it was.

Don't think you'll get your money back I'm afraid

archer123

Thank you. The link was the one that was setup in the 'Sponsor Ad'.
Is there an expert on the new Consumer Distant Selling Regs, out there?? I would like to know whether it is against the rules NOT to offer the final price that will be charged to your card at the point of payment? I was NOT told this figure.
If this is in the new legislation, then they have done something wrong (illegal)

archer123

Update: TadServices (Claire Hall) offered a refund. Problem was her cheque bounced. What a surprise!

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Where is hPuseless and his army of google engineers when service providers continue to swarm on the populace!

archer123

I believe the persons running these scam sites are about to get their collars felt! The next step is to shut the all down.