Passport rip-off MP slams f irm’s 55p-a-minute phone line to arr ange delivery
HOL OF A CHEEK
HOLIDAYMAKERS face rip-off charges while arranging to have passports delivered by a Government-approved firm.
DX, which won the contract from Royal Mail, charges people to call a helpline to organise a time slot when they will be home.
Despite its claim that calls cost 7p a minute, bills reveal a premium 55p a minute rate.
Labour MP Luciana Berger waited 33 minutes to speak to staff – costing £17.10.
She got a letter from DX in July that read: “We h have an urgent delivery that mightm require a signature. ture.” It included the 0844 help helpline number, stating: “C“Calls will cost 7p per minute plus your mobile company’s access charge.” But Ms Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, said: “I spoke to O2 and they said it was DX who charged a stonking 55p a minute connection charge.
“DX appear to be using the respectability brought by their partnership with HM Passport Office to charge extortionate phone rates to people anxious about their documents.”
Other disgruntled customers vented their anger on social media. One stormed: “Call cost me more than £100. This is ridiculous.” Another posted: “I A COWBOY parking firm left air travellers’ cars at the mercy of thieves by dumping them unlocked in a farmer’s muddy field.
Quality Parking said motors would be in a locked area with 24-hour surveillance and alarm systems.
Instead the Gatwick-based meetand-greet firm left them unattended and unlocked in a field or abandoned on the roadside.
Families flew home to find their cars mud splattered and scratched. One, a new Audi A4, had a dented alloy wheel and a flat tyre.
A driver wrote on social media: “My new BMW looked like it had been in a rally, mud everywhere including the carpet and foot pedals. Never use these idiots.”
Another said there was £600 damage to their car and a garage wish I had called a sex line as at least I would have got enjoyment.”
DX apologised to Ms Berger and said it has “taken steps to introduce a local rate line in response to customers’ feedback and expectations”.