EHIC website has crashed - but don't be tempted to use a shyster site

Pollycat

malkie76 wrote: »

First hit on google - https://www.ukehic.com

Really?
This is one of the websites you've been referring to as 'legitimate'? :rotfl:
These are the websites that MSE warn against.
It's a shyster website.

Google for an EHIC, driving licence, birth certificate or more, and you risk paying a shyster site for doing nowt. Here are the top copycat sites to avoid and how to fight back.

I just Googled European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and a site tried to charge me £35. Aren't they free? I'm confused. Sounds like you've just come across a shyster site. These dress up like legitimate sites, using search optimisation tricks to appear high on Google.

They then get you to fill in forms, charging you for 'administration', even though there's no administration needed. For example, with ESTAs, they might charge £60+ to process an application you can easily do for a tenner via the US Customs and Border Protection site.

Coincidence that the MSE advice above mentions a website that charges you £35 and that's what the one in your link also charges?
Doubt it - it's probably the same website.

malkie76

I'm struggling to understand your point. They offer a service which you pay for - that may be of value to you, or it may not. It's no different to any other check and send services (e.g. passport applications offered by the post office).

The ones which are actually disreputable are those which charge, but then don't submit your application.

Pollycat

malkie76 wrote: »

I'm struggling to understand your point. They offer a service which you pay for - that may be of value to you, or it may not. It's no different to any other check and send services (e.g. passport applications offered by the post office).

The ones which are actually disreputable are those which charge, but then don't submit your application.

Then I'll leave it with you.

I think the website you linked to is a shyster website and I'm pretty sure that MSE would class it as one too.

It's very different to the Post Office 'check and send service' but you don't appear to be able to see that so I'll leave it there.

malkie76

You'll need to explain how this service fundamentally is different to what the post office do.

Both check details. Both submit on your behalf. Neither provide an actual guarantee of acceptance. You don't actually have to use the service to obtain the documents. Both charge a fee.

Or do you concede my point ?

PeacefulWaters

1) The Post Office charge less to check a more complex form.

2) The EHIC form is just about as straight forward as you can get. £35 is an outrageous charge.

IAmWales

malkie76 wrote: »

You'll need to explain how this service fundamentally is different to what the post office do.

Both check details. Both submit on your behalf. Neither provide an actual guarantee of acceptance. You don't actually have to use the service to obtain the documents. Both charge a fee.

Or do you concede my point ?

You're not seriously suggesting your link is a legitimate site are you, given that they are currently subject to investigation by the OFT? What information do you suggest that they are checking, given that they have no other access to data than what the applicant has entered?

Did you miss the whole point of this thread, to tell people not to pay for a pointless "service"?

malkie76

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

1) The Post Office charge less to check a more complex form.

2) The EHIC form is just about as straight forward as you can get. £35 is an outrageous charge.

Totally subjective. Do you have any objective differences to highlight?

malkie76

IAmWales wrote: »

You're not seriously suggesting your link is a legitimate site are you, given that they are currently subject to investigation by the OFT? What information do you suggest that they are checking, given that they have no other access to data than what the applicant has entered?

Did you miss the whole point of this thread, to tell people not to pay for a pointless "service"?

I've already explained why that sort of service could be of value to some. If they provide the service they say they do I see no reason to brand them as anything other than legitimate.

PeacefulWaters

malkie76 wrote: »

Totally subjective. Do you have any objective differences to highlight?

Yes. But I really can't be bothered.

malkie76

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Yes. But I really can't be bothered.

Thank you for conceding my point.