HOW TO BEAT THE INTERNET COPYCATS

THERE are a number of steps you can take to stay clear of copycat websites.

AVOID making an online search for passport, EHIC, driving licence or DVLA using a search engine such as Google, Bing or Yahoo. Search using Government website gov.uk. Tap gov.uk into the address bar.

SEARCH for international travel visas such as the US Esta or Canadian Eta using the relevant government website only. There are links through the gov.uk website.

BE AWARE that if you do carry out an online search, paid-for adverts appear at the top. The official services will often appear further down the listings.

NEVER hurry an application. Read beyond the first few paragraphs of a web page where you will likely find a disclaimer – an instant red flag.

FIGHT back. Chase the website for a refund even if it claims not to offer any in its terms and conditions. A bogus operator often calculates that returning your payment is a price worth paying not to attract unwanted attention from the authorities.

ASK for a refund via your bank. If the service was paid for on plastic it may be possible to get your money back via Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act or the bank’s voluntary chargeback scheme.

REPORT a misleading website to the relevant search engine so they can attempt to shut it down.