Driving licence replacement scam!

user1977

SkippyP1995 said:

Do you know if they are likely to use my personal data? As in identity fraud? 

No more reason than staff at the genuine DVLA would.

SkippyP1995

Thank you user1977. 

Sandtree

user1977 said:

SkippyP1995 said:

Do you know if they are likely to use my personal data? As in identity fraud? 

No more reason than staff at the genuine DVLA would.

Well, you would assume that a public sector organization will have reasonable controls, employee vetting etc.

I suspect those that are behind sites like these are not large corporate entitles with the tools, policies or interests in the same level of protection. Some probably would also speculate that if they're willing to run a business that many consider of dubious ethics that they may not to be too worried about GDPR requirements (or may intentionally ignore them)


We do get a lot of these posts on here and circumstantially we dont subsequently get lots of follow up posts about ID fraud but its certainly not a robust test.

SkippyP1995

Sandtree, thank you. 

7Phil

@SkippyP1995
Unfortunately a bit of an expensive lesson. Anyone can set up google-based front end websites to sell people a "service" they can easily do themselves for free. They use clever wording to hide (in plain sight) their fee is for a service that you can do by yourself. It's not a scam but it's still trickery.

On your point about data protection and privacy:
Your data is not as safe in their hands as it is with the DVLA. You are right to be worried.
Identity theft is a low risk from either side, but the private business may have T&Cs that let them use your personal data for analysis, marketing, research (in other words sale) and for use by themselves or "third parties".

There are laws and regulations that make it illegal to collect and process personal data in any way other than for legal purposes.
The DVLA is heavily bound by these laws, being a public body whose purpose is to process your information safely and protect it.

Check back on the documentation/emails you got from this company. Opt out of everything and write to them with your concerns to be deleted from their database.

On the positive side, as you paid for the service you can expect they will treat your data lawfully and professionally

SkippyP1995

7Phil, I have definitely learnt an expensive lesson which I will not make the same mistake twice. Thank you so much for your truthful but positive comment. I have emailed them as you suggested and asked them to delete me from their records. I really do appreciate your time to respond to me so thanks again! A very hard life lesson learnt for me! 

[Deleted User]

Sorry to read you have been hoodwinked by this operation, Skippy1995. You are among a multitude - look at trustpilot reviews - so ignore the usual sanctimonious MSE keyboard lawyers rushing to admonish you and exonerate the operation.

The operation keeps changing its name but is basically just a small team whose address is 20-22, Wenlock Road, London, England, N1 7GU. When I was caught, it was called licencesafe but they have since disabled that website and cobbled together another. 

You should have a customer service email from them? Ask for a refund. Their first offer will be £20, then £30 then £40, which is as far as I got. But I also made a Subject Access Request for my data. To reassure you, I don't think there is any chance that the company will misuse your details - it just wants to keep under the radar and fly the hoax for as as long as it can, hence the payoff offers - but I put in the request just to inconvenience them.  You should do the same (once you are safely in possession of your new licence). Also, ask your bank to stop any repeat of the transaction, so there is no possibility of the company charging you an annual fee for its service.

SkippyP1995

ZingPowZing. Thank you so much for your support. I tried to push them and only got as far as £20 back but that was better than not trying at all. I did email and they’ve confirmed that all my data has been deleted from their system. I think you are correct in that they just want the money so they want to stay under the radar to a degree. I have my new licence now so it’s seems that part was legit. It’s definitely a mistake I have learnt from! 

[Deleted User]

Yes, I've heard of complainers getting more than £40 but you just want to wash your hands of them after a while. 

My feeling is that more money is falling into their lap than they ever dreamt of..but they must know that their days are numbered.

Glad you got something. Potentially useful for the next unfortunates who, having been caught, alight on these threads

zagfles

Ask your bank to do a chargeback. They might challenge it, but this is what happened when a passport shyster did:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5185879/bbc-passport-website-sues-its-customers-richard-howard-britishpassportservices/p2