Residents are being reminded to stay alert when browsing or shopping online, with advice to avoid suspicious websites and to verify the legitimacy of any site before entering personal details.
This warning follows a recent case where a consumer paid £39 for a driving licence address change to a business claiming to be based in Bromley. This is actually a free service when done directly through the official DVLA website. The incident highlights the growing threat of copycat websites, which mimic official services but charge excessive fees.
Copycat websites offer services like passport applications or birth certificate requests, often appearing higher in search engine results than the official sites. These websites are not affiliated with the legitimate services and may charge for services that are free or cheaper elsewhere. Visit the Get Safe Online website for more information on copycat websites.
Fake websites are designed to look genuine, often using branding similar to well-known companies. These sites may sell non-existent goods or distribute malware (malicious software) to steal personal data. With the help of Artificial Intelligence, criminals can easily create professional-looking websites that appear trustworthy but aren't. Visit the Stop! Think Fraud website or the Which? website for advice on how to spot a fake website.
Risks of using suspicious websites
- Paying for goods that never arrive or fall short of what you ordered.
- Excessive charges for services that are offered cheaper or for free elsewhere.
- Difficulty in getting your money back – especially from non-UK websites.
- Data theft leading to identity theft or identity fraud.
- Malware infections on your devices.
Protect yourself and others
- Take your time and check before buying from a website: Use the Free Website Scam Checker – Get Safe Online.
- Don’t trust the first search result – look for Gov.uk for official services.
- Read reviews on sites such as Trustpilot, Feefo, or Sitejabber.
- Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.
- Avoid bank transfers – use credit/debit cards for protection.
- Scrutinise the whole website, especially the terms and conditions (e.g. Is there a reliable UK address? Do they refer to the 14-day cooling off period?).
- Check the Companies House Search service for business legitimacy.
- Look out for small print disclaimers on copycat sites that may confess to not be affiliated to the official website (typically hidden to trick visitors).
- Double-check spelling: e.g. "Gooogle" is not "Google", and "Br0mley" is not "Bromley".
You can report suspicious websites to the National Cyber Security Centre: Report a suspicious website – NCSC.GOV.UK.
Report and information
For further information on identity fraud and identity theft, visit the Action Fraud website.
Contact your bank’s fraud team: Call 159 – Stop Scams UK.
If you have been tricked into sending money by bank payment, check out the Toolkit and UK Finance Authorised Push Payment Fraud guidance for more information on recovering lost money.
Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or on the Action Fraud website.
Contact Citizens Advice for help and advice on 0808 223 1133 or on the Citizens Advice website.
For general information about scams in various languages, visit the Friends Against Scams website.
You can also visit Trading Standards on the Bromley Council website for more information.
Visit the Bromley Council website for advice and guidance on distance contracts (buying goods and services without face-to-face contact).
Bromley Trading Standards
To keep up with the latest scam alerts and warnings from Bromley Trading Standards sign up on www.bromley.gov.uk/TradingStandardsAlertSignUpForm.
Bromley Trading Standards also runs a fair-trader directory to help you find a safe, reliable trader that you can trust, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandardschecked to learn more.