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Technology News
“Misleading” websites selling unofficial certificates
Chris - December 14th, 2011 5:17 PM
Tags: asa, certificates, government, oft, unofficial
Two companies selling Government services at inflated prices have been ordered by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to stop “misleading” the public.
The ASA has ordered UK Official Services and UK GRO Certificates to stop making claims that could lead people to believe they were official Government sites. The companies sold birth, death and marriage certificates at three times the usual cost. Although it is not illegal to charge for express services, the GRO was concerned that customers were being charged up to £74.99 for an ‘express’ service that can be had for £23.40 via the official Identity and Passport Service website.
The ASA rules that wording used on both companies’ sites implied that they were Government-run sites. The ASA told the press there seemed to be willingness on behalf of the companies to comply with its order. If they fail to do so, the authority can impose sanctions, including naming and shaming on its website. Failing this it can refer a company to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which can take matters further.
The problem of companies fooling people into believing they are official or affiliated Government sites selling Government services online is an ongoing problem for both the ASA and the OFT. Last year the OFT took action against five websites that it said were “tricking” people into buying European Health Insurance Cards.
