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Misleading services sites on Google search

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  • Misleading services sites on Google search

    Hi.

    We wanted to renew my wife's driving licence, and she unknowingly clicked on a licence registration site link on Google, which took her to a site that looked just like the DVLA colours and layout.

    She gave them all the details requested like existing licence number, passport number, (they need this to use the photo from this), date of birth, our address and of course the number of the debit card used to pay.

    It was so convincing that she did not see the tiny writing stating that said that is a third party service that will charge and extra £80 on top of the £14 standard fee for a licence. Nor did she notice on the Google search results that there was an 'AD' symbol right next to the result that she picked.

    Once she realized the mistake we checked at the DVLA that the licence was being processed, she found that the application was going through as requested so nothing lost there, other than the extra exorbitant fee.

    What worries us is that she have given her personal details to someone who we can't check and verify if they are legitimate.

    What letter templates can we use to get the £80 back if they get awkward. We did read about a chap who fell for this and chased them with letters, and after various offers of refund he eventually got his money back.

    Can anyone please help with the letters that we need to use?

    Kind regards.

    Tags: None

  • #2
    Originally posted by shimeld View Post
    Hi.

    We wanted to renew my wife's driving licence, and she unknowingly clicked on a licence registration site link on Google, which took her to a site that looked just like the DVLA colours and layout.

    She gave them all the details requested like existing licence number, passport number, (they need this to use the photo from this), date of birth, our address and of course the number of the debit card used to pay.

    It was so convincing that she did not see the tiny writing stating that said that is a third party service that will charge and extra £80 on top of the £14 standard fee for a licence. Nor did she notice on the Google search results that there was an 'AD' symbol right next to the result that she picked.

    Once she realized the mistake we checked at the DVLA that the licence was being processed, she found that the application was going through as requested so nothing lost there, other than the extra exorbitant fee.

    What worries us is that she have given her personal details to someone who we can't check and verify if they are legitimate.

    What letter templates can we use to get the £80 back if they get awkward. We did read about a chap who fell for this and chased them with letters, and after various offers of refund he eventually got his money back.

    Can anyone please help with the letters that we need to use?

    Kind regards.
    Hi Shimeld

    Have you spoken to your debit card issuer (chargeback)? You should also let the DVLA know that this is going on.

    Comment


    • #3
      I think you will find that the DVLA already know about this scam. Check very carefully as you may find that you have signed up for a legal advice service for the year and they will collect again at the end of the year.

      Comment


      • #4
        Maybe complain to the Advertising Standards Agency (they are poor and that's being kind'. The strap line at the very top is very difficult to read, text should be larger. Then the 'affiliated' bit should be at the top, not the bottom of the test.

        https://www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint.html

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi.

          Thanks for your responses.

          We have tried the chargeback but since the service has been supplied and fulfilled the bank won't take action.
          The company is based in Linnaosa Tallinn, overseas though the local office in London.

          We just want a letter template or correct word to use.

          Kind regards.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by shimeld View Post
            Hi.

            Thanks for your responses.

            We have tried the chargeback but since the service has been supplied and fulfilled the bank won't take action.
            The company is based in Linnaosa Tallinn, overseas though the local office in London.

            We just want a letter template or correct word to use.

            Kind regards.
            https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/co...20to%20do%20so.

            https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/co...tters/letters/

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks

              Comment

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