North East Herts MP Oliver Heald has warned of the dangers of failing to recognize websites purporting to offer a Government service, which then make a charge. Recent Constituency cases have involved individuals trying to renew their driving licences and entering commercial websites, which then make a charge for a service which the Government provides free.
Commenting, Oliver Heald said, “There is nothing illegal about companies setting up websites to offer assistance in accessing Government services, so long as they make clear that they are not an official Government website. However, people can be misled and I would urge all constituents to make a note that official Government business should only be conducted through the Government website, www.gov.uk. This provides links to all the relevant Departmental forms.”