UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISHPassportServices Copycat Website issues DISCUSSION

[dann]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

Are there any petitions online for third party copycat sites.... Im going to have a look.. do you think its something worth doing?

[Campana14]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

Just out of interest, how many people do we suspect are involved in this set-up? Is there even enough for a 4-1 vote?

I got e mail from

Katie Smith
Arthurt
Amanda
charler mercer
mr strong

[Poltergeist]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

Just adding for info

Thank you tools. very interesting reading indeed. I am sure we will all like regulations 5 & 7. In the PDF i am particularly interested in point 14, thus:-

"14. Aggressive practices would be behaviour by the trader that significantly impairs the average consumer's freedom of choice or conduct. For example, a consumer takes their car to a mechanic and the mechanic does lots of extra work which the consumer had not requested. The mechanic then acts aggressively and refuses to return the car until the consumer pays for the extra work."

It's going to be interesting to see what a court has to make of the victims state of mind and INTENTION. My INTENTION was to make an appointment at the local passport office, I DID NOT want queue jumping, google maps, passport forms posting et al. It would appear that I had no choice in the rest of that nonsense, and BPS went ahead regardless, not taking into account my personal need. It seems that, just maybe, they were engaging in aggressive trading as outlined above.

[Poltergeist]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

Thanks for that.

[Poltergeist]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

Are there any petitions online for third party copycat sites.... Im going to have a look.. do you think its something worth doing?

Yes. The more this is made public the better. Outside of the issues people are here suffering with and being victimised for, we need to escalate the problem, and the fact that the problem isn't going away, even with all of the work done. To my mind the 3rd party Shysters are sticking their middle finger up to the government and any authority who would stand against them. There was an earlier post (or possibly on another site, where they flaunt an email from the Metropolitan Police (see Amethyst's earlier post), and the fact that Action Fraud are not taking action etc. This to me says that the police and Action Fraud are on the side of justice, and therefore on the side of the shysters. Another pathetic attempt to frighten people. There is another word for that - Bullying, and no one likes a bully. So it's time to canvass your local councillors, MP's and friends in order to get the word up higher. Don't forget that we have also got an election just around the corner, so now is a good time to canvass, the councillors and MP's want your vote! Also Watchdog BBC TV, You & Yours BBC Radio 4, who have recently covered this subject many times (and if that fantastic programme has looked at it, and we are still; being fleeced, to my mind there is a REAL problem that can affect the vulnerable and not so vulnerable in society. When you think of it, we quite rightly despise those that would prey on the elderly and vulnerable ( THINK JESSICA - if you haven't already seen this, I sincerely urge you to take a look at their fantastic website), these individuals will allow everyone to fall for the trap. It's time to get canvassing. I hope this helps.

[Tools]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd Passport Copycat Website issues

I've added a poll to the top of this thread so we can see some numbers on how many people have reported this to the Citizens Advice Helpline, please take the time to respond, even if you feel apprehensive about posting your story,it will help give some idea of the scale of numbers affected. To unregistered viewers please register to vote.

[dann]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

Thank you tools. very interesting reading indeed. I am sure we will all like regulations 5 & 7. In the PDF i am particularly interested in point 14, thus:-

"14. Aggressive practices would be behaviour by the trader that significantly impairs the average consumer's freedom of choice or conduct. For example, a consumer takes their car to a mechanic and the mechanic does lots of extra work which the consumer had not requested. The mechanic then acts aggressively and refuses to return the car until the consumer pays for the extra work."

It's going to be interesting to see what a court has to make of the victims state of mind and INTENTION. My INTENTION was to make an appointment at the local passport office, I DID NOT want queue jumping, google maps, passport forms posting et al. It would appear that I had no choice in the rest of that nonsense, and BPS went ahead regardless, not taking into account my personal need. It seems that, just maybe, they were engaging in aggressive trading as outlined above.

Absolutely bang on. There so much going on here you lose sight og what our intention was and feel almost shamed in to paying and being too scared to fight.

And yes youre right with the elections, this should be brought up and discussed as not only are they causing stress, time off work. threats of CCJ,losing money, all because Google and the government are allowing this to be public. If it wasnt there or was recognised for being what it claims to be ADVICE and advice alone , then thats what should be made clear and evident.
If like me you just work and work and dont know about these things because simply you never heard of it, you will have done the same as us..

There is so much info here i think if we have a streamlined approach almost a route map that we should all take, then that would help to make things coherant and easier to understand, Im surprised there isnt a facebook group for all the victims.

[dann]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

I got e mail from

Katie Smith
Arthurt
Amanda
charler mercer
mr strong

sam harris and amanda kirkman

[Amethyst]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

[Kati]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

There's an article in the Guardian from April 2013 about a site similar to this one - http://www.theguardian.com/money/201...ice-taken-ride

The service, and many similar ones like it, are not illegal and often crop up top, or near the top, of Google's rankings if you search under UK passport renewal (or similar terms). It is not the official government passport service and its directors say it never claims to be; instead, it claims to be a "checking service" that will make sure your application for a passport has been filled out correctly. For this, the website charges you £34, or £44 fast track (note – you can get this done at the Post Office if you so wish for less than £10). This is stated pretty clearly on its website, but you have to scroll down and read all the information and positive testimonials about its service first before you see this.

it's kinda scary that it's still going on

[Nibbler]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

I was tempted to make a comment about Mr Strong but resisted. :lol:

I won't hold back next time.... :bounce:

[Amethyst]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd BRITISH UK Passport Services Copycat Website issues

I'll edit the first post of this thread ( & once [MENTION=56780]aviduser[/MENTION] is back of holibobs I'll try sort the thread out a bit) and try and get a 'step by step' together - but really I would rather not post a go down a definitive route piece until next weekend once we have all the information together.

Hopefully this thread helps people to see they are not alone in dealing with this.

[Mandid]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd Passport Copycat Website issues

hmmm that's odd. Does she still have the texts ?

Do the legitimate passport offices send SMS confirmation of appointments?

I would like to chime in here as I have been thinking about this and the series of events of my experience. Interestingly it was mentioned above how the hell do they get these appointments and I assume they just ring guising as you because they have our details, however they seem to repeat themselves about how the appointment may not have your name against it as it could be an appointment one of their consumers have kindly given up as they are now not travelling urgently. (Hardly likely).

Remember I cancelled their service litterally five mins after I realised what they were and what I had done and made my own appointment immediately with the HMPO. I told them I had just been scammed at 11.58am and I was on the phone to them at 12.06pm, the lady checked their system an no other appointment had been made at that point. When their appointment came in the post two days later it had what appears to be an appointment number running sequentially to mine but 400 digits earlier? This would say to me they make the appointments days or day before and then somehow change the names and address's. If this can be done online then that would explain how they are pulling this scam off regarding securing the appointments and something I think the HMPO has to take some responsibility for.

The other thing was the HMPO lady said I would receive a text from them two days before appointment confirming my appointment and reference number I never got that text which when I rang on the morning of my appointment to check the one I made myself was still on the system they couldn't explain why I didn't get a text. I had a suspicious feeling the The BPS may have cancelled my appointment in spite because they sent me a message that morning saying there maybe a problem with my appointment that day and could I ring their office. They hadn't cancelled my appointment I think it was another ploy to get me to acknowledge they had provided a service so they could pursue their efforts to claim money off me.

This is so screwed up the more I read and the more of you that come forward, we have to expose them somehow we can't let them keep doing this to folk. I will join forces with any of you, go to Watchdog, ect...

[Tools]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd Passport Copycat Website issues

I will try and find out as much as possible about the process when I ring them on Monday. When you rang the real passport office for an appointment what details did you have to give them?

[Amethyst]

Re: UK Services & Support Ltd Passport Copycat Website issues

Which appointment did you receive confirmation of by post - the one you made yourself or the one BPS made for you ?