I've just decided to SORN one of my Hondas because it's only running on 3 cylinders and has one or two other issues. So I won't be using it until it's fixed, which is going to take a while. As the tax is due tomorrow I went online to SORN it. Using the V11 tax reminder form I typed in www.gov.uk/make-a-sorn. Up came several websites and without paying much attention I clicked on one, thinking they'd all be the same. The site I got asked for the usual details, V11 ref no., bike reg, my name, email, and mobile. I clicked 'Make a SORN' and was asked for bank card details in order to pay the £27 for the priviledge!!! WTF? Paying for a SORN? Since when? Thinking it was the bloody government having change the rules since I last SORNED a vehicle many years ago I NEARLY fell for it. Then I checked the website and realised it wasn't a gov.uk site. I came out of the website and this time opened the correct gov.uk site, followed the procedure, and (of course) it didn't cost a bean. I don't know for sure but I think the first site was legit. I reckon they take your money and forward details to the DVLA, charging you £27 in the process. Clearly, people must think it's the official DVLA site and pay up or it wouldn't be there. So you have been warned! A SORN is free. The dodgy website is www.vehiclesorn.co.uk/sorn. Take a look.
And often those sites show at the top of searches. There are plenty of other rogue sites too, for example i almost got caught on a passport site some time back, I always double check it is a legit gov.uk one now.
It might be legal, but I wouldn't call it legit. Scam would be a better word. Thanks fot the warning, though.
There are similar sites that some of my wife’s pupils have fallen for when trying to book driving tests which are expensive enough without having to pay fees on top of the usual test cost. God knows it’s difficult enough given the present circumstances to get a test, try August/ September because of the backlog after lessons and tests were stopped in the pandemic but it would help if they were doing more than three tests a day
A very good reminder to always check you are on the correct site for any government type interaction. Thanks for posting.
I think that they pay google (and others) to be at the top of the search. Flight bookings are the same thing and I’ve almost fell for it too. Thanks for your reminder to check!
I know a mate who fell for this very scam. A clever chap too. Can't be too careful these days. Robbin gits.
My GF works for the oklahoma DMV, which was only shut down 2 weeks in april, but precautions since have slowed the process, so they are now open until 9:00 pm weeknights and on Saturday until 4:00. This is a good example of how the government should be responding.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56886957 One easy rule of thumb is never to click on a link preceded by Ad. A lot of these sites are then instantly kicked aside.
