scammed? Advice needed please!

Cooldud

Hi All,

I wasn't concentrating and needed to check when my MOT is due and went to this website by mistake and filled out the details etc:

vehicleinformation uk

I got a text with the confirmation code and then something flashed up saying i will be charged £5 for the service and promptly vanished, obviously i am crapping myself.

I found the /terms page

That says if you text stop they wont charge you etc but when you try that my phone lets me know they they will charge me for sending them a text.

Anyone know about this? I'm assuming the only way they ca get money from me is if i text stop?

Thanks in advance!

macman

Strange, when I googled 'vehicle information UK' the following site comes up, which is the legit .gov one.
https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

parttimeskint

Wasn't concentrating? So not scammed then.

When I went to the site the first thing that popped up was:

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. This website is not affiliated with the DVLA. This text alert service costs £5 for 12 months access via your mobile phone bill and includes alerts for MOT, Car Tax, Car Insurance, Parking Permits and Breakdown Recovery.

And that's before filling in anything.

The home page has a similar line at the bottom of the page that says:

The Vehicle Information text reminder service costs £5 for 12 months service. The charge will be added to your phone bill, and you can cancel at any time by texting the word 'stop' to 85199. If you would like any more information about the service, please contact us.

Unfortunately it seems you signed up for a legitimate service, not a scam. I didn't say it was value for money tho as all the info you get from them you can get free via other sites.

If you want to cancel then Text Stop to the number. The message on your phone from your provider will probably say "MAY be charged" not "Will" unless they themselves charge you for texts to these type of services. If the vehicle information site said you can cancel and the text is Free, then why automatically disbelieve them?

glennstar

parttimeskint,
Well done for comprehensive, succinct and, in parts, amusing response, it's made my day - which may give you an insight into what type of a day I'm having.