Motorists beware: scam websites are siphoning off thousands of pounds from unsuspecting drivers as they try to pay tolls and charges. National Trading Standards has issued a warning after thousands were scammed on fake government service sites.
The schemes involve fake websites, often with names similar to the real thing, such as "paydartcharge.co.uk" or "paylondoncharge.co.uk", which trick people into paying inflated prices for services like the Dartford Crossing or ultra-low emission zone charges. The culprits are then fleecing the victims by charging extra fees that can be multiples of the actual cost.
The most recent case involved two men who operated over 40 fake sites, taking in more than £2.25 million from consumers. They were sentenced at Bristol crown court after being found guilty of charging thousands of people for services they didn't need to pay for, such as a £19.99 fee for submitting a statutory off-road notification.
The scam often relies on search engine results that favor the fake sites over the official government websites, making it easy for victims to end up paying more than they need to. National Trading Standards says that people are not always aware they have been duped until they receive a penalty charge notice in the mail.
Mike Andrews, head of the National Trading Standards e-crime team, is urging motorists to be cautious when paying tolls and emission charges online. He advises checking the website URL before entering any payment details and recommends using the official government websites instead of relying on search engines.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, drivers should follow these steps:
* If you've already paid through a fake site, try to get a refund through chargeback from your debit or credit card provider.
* Report the misleading website to Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 and take screenshots of the site and any payment confirmations for future reference.
* In the future, start by visiting the official government website (Gov.uk) when looking to pay for services, rather than using a search engine.
By taking these precautions, motorists can avoid falling prey to these scams and ensure they are paying the correct amounts.
The schemes involve fake websites, often with names similar to the real thing, such as "paydartcharge.co.uk" or "paylondoncharge.co.uk", which trick people into paying inflated prices for services like the Dartford Crossing or ultra-low emission zone charges. The culprits are then fleecing the victims by charging extra fees that can be multiples of the actual cost.
The most recent case involved two men who operated over 40 fake sites, taking in more than £2.25 million from consumers. They were sentenced at Bristol crown court after being found guilty of charging thousands of people for services they didn't need to pay for, such as a £19.99 fee for submitting a statutory off-road notification.
The scam often relies on search engine results that favor the fake sites over the official government websites, making it easy for victims to end up paying more than they need to. National Trading Standards says that people are not always aware they have been duped until they receive a penalty charge notice in the mail.
Mike Andrews, head of the National Trading Standards e-crime team, is urging motorists to be cautious when paying tolls and emission charges online. He advises checking the website URL before entering any payment details and recommends using the official government websites instead of relying on search engines.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, drivers should follow these steps:
* If you've already paid through a fake site, try to get a refund through chargeback from your debit or credit card provider.
* Report the misleading website to Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 and take screenshots of the site and any payment confirmations for future reference.
* In the future, start by visiting the official government website (Gov.uk) when looking to pay for services, rather than using a search engine.
By taking these precautions, motorists can avoid falling prey to these scams and ensure they are paying the correct amounts.
. It's like, what's the point of even having technology if it's just gonna be used to manipulate us? These scammers are basically preying on people's desperation and lack of awareness. I mean, who wouldn't trust a website that looks legit? The fact that they can create fake sites with names so similar to the real thing is just mind-boggling... it's like they're playing this twisted game of cat and mouse with our trust.
They're setting up fake websites that look super similar to the real deal, like "paydartcharge.co.uk" or "paylondoncharge.co.uk", and people are shelling out thousands of pounds without even realizing it's a scam! 
I mean, come on, guys, if you want to pay your tolls online, just stick to the official government website (Gov.uk) - don't rely on search engines that can get hacked too! 
It's not rocket science to check the URL first before entering your payment deets... honestly, it's a basic safety precaution. And what really gets me is that these scammers are making off with over £2.25 million! That's just outrageous. We need to stay vigilant and protect ourselves from these scammers. By following Mike Andrews' tips (check the URL, use official gov sites), we can avoid getting taken for a ride... literally! 
u guys gotta be careful online when payin tolls or emission charges lol i saw this warning from national trading standards about fake gov websites siphonin thousands off ur cash 
so like if u haven't already, just get familiar with gov.uk and avoid those fake sites or u might end up losin a few quid 
. Like, can't we all just use our common sense and fact-check the websites before entering any sensitive info? I mean, I get it, we're all busy, but come on! It's not that hard to type in the correct website URL 
... or should I say, not fall for fake ones 
. On a more random note, have you guys tried that new coffee shop downtown? Their cold brew is TO DIE FOR 
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