MOT reminder inadvertently subscribed(and charged for)

pennineparkies

I checked on Internet whether my car's MOT was due and thought was doing this via . GOV site, but was via 3rd party(surestream digital /vehicleinformation.uk) and I agreed to terms and conditions. I then sent the pin number they emailed. They sent me a reminder about mot and tax and informed me that I was being charged for this (£5). Also said I've waived right to 14 day cooling off in the conditions. To cancel text STOP to 85199. I do want to cancel. I'll give up £5 as a lesson learned, but is that text (a) going to be free (b) will it really result in them going away? Your help much appreciated

bris

Yes, STOP is the mandatory message to end these texts. Keep hold of it as proof for your service provider if they don't stop.

pennineparkies

Thanks for advice which I'll follow.

hollydays

In fairness to the company, imho I think it's made quite clear on their first page that they are a company who charge. They don't try to mimic a government agency, so I don't see how you got that confused or how you" inadvertantly

https://vehicleinformation.uk


Once you send them your phone number you then get this message on the same page



By clicking the agree button, you agree to the full terms and conditions, that you are 16+ and you will be charged to your mobile account. The service starts immediately and your right to cancel is waived. You will be shown the due date of your MOT and tax for the vehicle registration you have entered. We will send you alert reminders by text message before your MOT and tax are due. You can stop the service at any time by texting the word stop to 85199. Service provided by Surestream Digital (call customer service on 02381 010 505).


It's clear you've just immediately ticked agree and continue without reading those terms which are directly below

pennineparkies

Thanks for taking time to add to post. The purpose of my original post was not to highlight injustice, but just to make sure I was taking the right action to stop them taking more money from me. Like I said it is a lesson learned. I am not keen on a company who charges for something that is free by other routes, and is not really adding any value to the situation.

worried_jim

No, but it might be helpful for the next person that reads this thread.

s_b

Pennineparkies wrote: »

Thanks for taking time to add to post. The purpose of my original post was not to highlight injustice, but just to make sure I was taking the right action to stop them taking more money from me. Like I said it is a lesson learned. I am not keen on a company who charges for something that is free by other routes, and is not really adding any value to the situation.

were all doomed then:D

Davesteb

TBF it does look a bit like the Gov site. Google doesn't return the Gov site when you enter your reg no and 'Road tax'. I used it in error this morning, remembering that I'd used the Gov site free before so I was confident I could proceed without getting charged. I didn't see a tick box, but entered my mobile no and saw that I'd be subsequently charged if I returned a pin code they send me. I wised up and didn't do this, but I can't prove I didn't do something.

agrinnall

Davesteb wrote: »

Google doesn't return the Gov site when you enter your reg no and 'Road tax'.

When I do it what I get back is this message:

Your search - xxzzyyy road tax - did not match any documents.
Suggestions:

• Make sure that all words are spelled correctly.
• Try different keywords.
• Try more general keywords.
• Try fewer keywords.

And then gives a few links clearly marked as adverts.

takman

Davesteb wrote: »

TBF it does look a bit like the Gov site. Google doesn't return the Gov site when you enter your reg no and 'Road tax'. I used it in error this morning, remembering that I'd used the Gov site free before so I was confident I could proceed without getting charged. I didn't see a tick box, but entered my mobile no and saw that I'd be subsequently charged if I returned a pin code they send me. I wised up and didn't do this, but I can't prove I didn't do something.

Why would you search for your registration number in Google! and it look nothing like the government website at all!. Plus why would the government need your mobile number to check a cars road tax status?.

cadguy

is there anything you can do to challenge this ?

its £10 for the signup.