Driving License Renewal Assistance - Electronic Check Ltd - BEWARE

PeterLF

Do you need to renew your driving license? 
It seems I am not the only one who has suffered this scam.  I was in a hurry, I search driving license renewal, I click a link at the top of google which says 'Apply online...etc'.  The style of the website and colouring is like the DVLA.  I then stupidly click through put in my credit card details, and find I am charged £79 for a service which is FREE!  It is my stupidity.  However, I contacted the company immediately, but because I didn't use the cancellation form at the bottom of their terms & conditions, they processed the application straight away.  According to their T&C because they processed it quickly I can not now receive a refund, despite sending my instructions by email immediately.  There is no other way to contact them.  Electronic Check Ltd operate under company names of www.drivercheckonline.co.uk, www.drivinglicenseassistance.co.uk.  This appears to be a copy cat website as it is purposefully designed to look similar to a government website.  HOWEVER, they will not refund when the user realises they have been scammed and according to what I have read many people fall for this and they can not get their money back.
I would really welcome any advice on what to do.  Hopefully, this thread will stop someone being duped like I was.

AdrianC

Not this again...

No, the websites don't look anything like DVLA's gov.uk site.
And they are VERY clear about the fact you are paying for a service on top of the free DVLA service, if you bother to take a minute to actually look at them.

What to do? Install an adblocker on your web browser, learn to be a bit more discriminating in clicking on links, and read websites before giving them your plastic details.

[Deleted User]

They are clearly marked as ads, I had to go on Edge to get this as Chrome and Firefox block them.

They have disclaimers on the site saying you can do it free

They look nothing like the Gov site

You haven't been scammed, you chose to pay them to process your application instead of doing it yourself on the gov.uk site

lemondrops69

Stupid is as stupid does

boobyd

As Adrian C says, here we go again.
The first ad site goes. 
1, click relevant box, 70 renew, 10 Yr renew efc
2,Put in licence details
3,Input others details
There are then 4 other stages,
7 Stages total.
Get to after confirm payment then realise is not DVLA. 
At no stage read anything? 

The_Fat_Controller

Oh dear, how sad, never mind (again) LOL

GrumpyDil

OP not sure you'll be back but just in case worthwhile actually scanning the details of the company before proceeding. In this case further down the first page is the following text which makes it pretty clear what they are about.
"Licence Services is in no way affiliated with the government. You can apply onto the UK Government website or DVLA to benefit from a reduced cost." 
Basically these companies all rely on people rushing ahead without reading the details on their website.

Hasbeen

PeterLF said:

Do you need to renew your driving license? 
It seems I am not the only one who has suffered this scam.  I was in a hurry, I search driving license renewal, I click a link at the top of google which says 'Apply online...etc'.  The style of the website and colouring is like the DVLA.  I then stupidly click through put in my credit card details, and find I am charged £79 for a service which is FREE!  It is my stupidity.  However, I contacted the company immediately, but because I didn't use the cancellation form at the bottom of their terms & conditions, they processed the application straight away.  According to their T&C because they processed it quickly I can not now receive a refund, despite sending my instructions by email immediately.  There is no other way to contact them.  Electronic Check Ltd operate under company names of www.drivercheckonline.co.uk, www.drivinglicenseassistance.co.uk.  This appears to be a copy cat website as it is purposefully designed to look similar to a government website.  HOWEVER, they will not refund when the user realises they have been scammed and according to what I have read many people fall for this and they can not get their money back.
I would really welcome any advice on what to do.  Hopefully, this thread will stop someone being duped like I was.

Does not look any thing like the DVLA Gov.UK site.

This thread will not stop others failing to read what is right in front of them. People are lazy and somewhat ignorant on this issue.

They only come on here after the event, usually shouting Scam. Illegal. Etc. So they will not see your post until then.

You were not duped. Or scammed. You paid for a service and fees which were explained to you.

You simply like others failed to read or understand the words on pages in front of you.

Get a free AD blocker etc so you are not foolish enough again to fall for any thing similar? Passports, etc.

Its simpler to just use the clearly marked UK Gov sites.

https://www.gov.uk 

AdrianC

Hasbeen said:

This thread will not stop others failing to read what is right in front of them. People are lazy and somewhat ignorant on this issue.

They only come on here after the event, usually shouting Scam. Illegal. Etc. So they will not see your post until then.

Even then...

Just like this one, started exactly a month ago and last posted to just under a fortnight ago, didn't stop the OP from falling for it...
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6258028/licensesafe-scam
...or any of the myriad of previous posts on the same lines...

Dbu

I fell for this dodgy site yesterday. I was in the middle of cancelling and reinstating cards and documents after being robbed I was in a bit of a state. Sites like this take advantage. If you look at the site in question (particularly on a phone) and click through at "next" you'll see just how easy it is to miss their disclaimers. Other sites are somewhat clearer. 

I reported them to Google who've taken them off the search results.

I don't think I'd have been taken in if I hadn't been in such a state.

It's too easy to suggest that people are stupid or lazy.  Please don't be smug.

mobileron

First thing is you look and in bold you will see ADD,then u will see this.  This application site is independently administered and has non governmental or DVLA affiliation. It does however forward necessary application information to the DVLA. This information is subject to strict privacy provisions and controls. This is an online Driving Licence Renewal site that can assist and help expedite completion of renewal applications and submissions. We charge an administration and service fee along with the DVLA fee all inclusive. You may submit your information directly to the DVLA portal or attend a DVLA office and you will be charged an application fee.   Goverment sites dont have ADD.
So its not a scam.