driving licence renewal

sootyann

I recently renewed my driving licence online...I thought I was on the Government www but unknowingly clicked on one directly beneath the government one. 'driving licence support' - it was identical to the Government one, same print, coloured ink etc...I filled in the form and paid for it with Barclaycard..in seconds I got acknowledgement and it revealed I would be charged £94!!! I thought it a bit steep and showed my son...he said that I was on the wrong one...I cancelled within minutes...they replied 'we note you wish to cancel' and that was it....then 5 hours later another email stating unfortunately your licence has now been processed and you cannot cancel. I replied I didn't want to go ahead and that I cancelled immediately, so why did you process?  I was offered £20 refund (for any misunderstanding)....another offer of £30 refund...and quite a few emails off this company on a similar theme...Fortunately I got on to Barclaycard and filled in a claim form explaining the situation...sent all the emails received etc., and now they've taken up my claim direct to 'driving licence support'. Barclaycard have been positive up to now...fingers crossed I get a refund.
I emailed and informed the DVLA at the same time and they issued me licence straight away.

I will not be caught again!  I'm a pensioner and not that computer savvy - just thought I would share this information to anyone unsuspecting like me!  (or stupid as me!)



 

AdrianC

A similar thread from just yesterday...
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6277545/driving-licence-replacement-scam

Within the last month...
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6271085/changing-address-on-driving-license-warning
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6270557/fallen-for-licence-renewal-scam-site-can-i-get-my-money-back

Within the month before that...
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6264615/dvla-scam-what-can-they-do-with-this-information
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6265950/driving-license-renewal-assistance-electronic-check-ltd-beware/

These sites have been around for years. They offer a commercial service (whether it's needed or not) and are very clearly worded about what they are offering... There have been hundreds of similar warnings. And, no, they never do "look identical" to the gov.uk one, even though people always say they do.

The only foolproof way to avoid similar is to actually look at the site you're using and read it.

lordmountararat

This comes up on a frequent and regular basis, almost weekly. You just have to make sure that any website you visit for licence and passport renewal is ".GOV"

AdrianC

lordmountararat said:

This comes up on a frequent and regular basis, almost weekly. You just have to make sure that any website you visit for licence and passport renewal is ".GOV"

gov.uk - unless you happen to be in the US...

sootyann

thank you lesson learned!

Pollycat

sootyann said:

I will not be caught again!  I'm a pensioner and not that computer savvy - just thought I would share this information to anyone unsuspecting like me!  (or stupid as me!)

 

Just to point out that these 'value-add' websites are not just for driving licence renewal.

In the past, they have covered:

• apply for a new passport
• renew passport
• apply for an ESTA (US travel)
• booking driving test
• booking driving theory test
• Apply for rod fishing licence (yes, really)
• EHIC

These have been around for years.

Threads on MSE dating back to 2009 for EHIC applications.

And the next big thing is GHIC!

UK Global Health Insurance Card.

Already websites up and running ready to take the unwary (or in a rush) person's money - when you can apply and get one free (if you use the right website of course).