Chekhov Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 A lesson for all of us..... It had been implied to me that one had to pay for an Australian visa. I put "australian visa application" in to Google and it bought up "Australian Visa - Welcome to Australia" (comes up as "TRAVELAUSTRALIA"). I filled it all in and paid, then only realised when filling the second one in (for my wife) it was charging me £99 USD ! Why was it charging me USD ? And $99 is about £80 ! It was then I realised something was wrong, I checked on the FCO website, used the link to the actual Australian Govt website where they state the visa is free : https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651#Overview I immediately tried to cancel the "pending payment" on my bank account but the bank said I could not. I had to wait till it was paid and then I could dispute it but only if I did not receive the visa. All in all very annoying, at least I didn't pay for my wife and child's..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHasRisen Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 (edited) And all this coming from the person saying banks have too much security in place. It's like ten thousand spoons.... Edited September 19, 2023 by HeHasRisen 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chekhov Posted September 19, 2023 Author Share Posted September 19, 2023 (edited) I E Mailed them ASAP (on australia@e-travelonline.com ) and, somewhat surprisingly, they say they are prepared to refund me, less a $29 "administration fee". $29 is about £24, worth it to learn from it, assuming I get the (partial) refund.... The important thing is to try and avoid others getting scammed ! 24 minutes ago, HeHasRisen said: And all this coming from the person saying banks have too much security in place. I think having to be sent a One Time Passcode for a payment to the HMRC is ludicrous, don't you ? Edited September 19, 2023 by Chekhov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHasRisen Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 Oh come on, you have to see there is a delicious irony here. There is apparently too much hand holding, until it affect you, when there seemingly isn't enough of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chekhov Posted September 19, 2023 Author Share Posted September 19, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, HeHasRisen said: Oh come on, you have to see there is a delicious irony here. There is apparently too much hand holding, until it affect you, when there seemingly isn't enough of it. I am simply pointing out that insisting on a OTP for a payment to the HMRC is cobblers, it is not necessary at all. Here, I am trying to publicise the fact that people do not need to pay for a visa for Australia. I do not see the equivalence at all. Edited September 19, 2023 by Chekhov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHasRisen Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 If only the authorities had extra safeguards in place to have stopped it happening to you! Oh.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chekhov Posted September 19, 2023 Author Share Posted September 19, 2023 3 minutes ago, HeHasRisen said: If only the authorities had extra safeguards in place to have stopped it happening to you! Oh.... Where have I said "the authorities [should have] extra safeguards in place to have stopped it [being charged for a visa when you can get one for free] happening" . What I did point out was that Google are being hypocritical by accepting adverts from companies operating this kind of swindle when they are infamous for their virtue signalling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECCOnoob Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 (edited) No Google are not. As pointed out on your other thread the company you went to is a service provider and you paid for their service. It states exactly what they are on their own webpage so where is the scam? As far as Google is concerned, it's legitimate business as much as your own is. NOTICE: We are an agency not affiliated with the Australian Government website. The decision to grant any permit is made by the Australian Government. We provide services and assistance on a professional fee basis of $99 for. A request can be presented also on the official website for a lower fee but without our help and assistance. Virtue signalling is nothing to do with it. Edited September 19, 2023 by ECCOnoob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHasRisen Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 I have some of these if the OP is interested. £2,000 if he is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chekhov Posted September 19, 2023 Author Share Posted September 19, 2023 5 hours ago, HeHasRisen said: And all this coming from the person saying banks have too much security in place. On the subject of online security, what are the security implications of Google directing people to a non official website where they are required to put loads of personal information in ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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