Case reference number: CRE/0648
Complainant: OFT own-initiative investigations
Case opened: 14 July 2011
The OFT has opened a number of investigations into traders that operate websites charging for services that are provided directly by government departments online free or at lower cost. Such services include, for example, applications for European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) and driving theory test bookings. The OFT is considering whether the traders operating these websites are complying with consumer protection legislation.
Among the OFT's concerns is whether these websites are deceptively presenting themselves as official government websites thus misleading consumers into paying fees for services that are available free of charge from the official government website, or paying significantly more than what they would have to pay using a government website.
The opening of these investigations follows complaints received from consumers and also representations from government departments which are responsible for the provision of these services. Prior to opening, the OFT has been in discussion with a number of Trading Standards Services.
These investigations are ongoing and the OFT will not be in a position to determine whether it considers the law has been infringed by a particular trader until it has completed its investigations and assessed the available evidence concerning that trader. Further updates will be made on this section of the OFT's website as its investigations progress.
Team Leader: Hugh Little (020 7211 8440, hugh.little@oft.gsi.gov.uk).
Project Director: To be announced.
Senior Responsible Officer: Cavendish Elithorn (020 7211 8170, cavendish.elithorn@oft.gsi.gov.uk).
Any media enquiries should be directed to a member of our Press Office.
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