Rip-off websites which charge people for free Covid-19 passenger locator forms feature at the top of Google search results, the BBC has found. "I

Fresh warning over rip-off locator forms on Google

submited by
Style Pass
2021-07-29 11:30:05

Rip-off websites which charge people for free Covid-19 passenger locator forms feature at the top of Google search results, the BBC has found.

"It's no surprise that these copycat firms have found yet another route to try and make money out of people for something that is free," said Guy Anker, deputy editor of consumer website Money Saving Expert.

Google's policy is to ban ads for unofficial websites selling government documents. But in May, the BBC reported that rip-off ads for travel visas, driving licences and other documents topped Google search results every time it checked during a 12-month investigation.

"If Google is being user-first, it would be in its users' best interests not to feature these ads and to make sure that the official site for passenger locator forms and other documents come near the top [of any search]," said Mr Anker.

On Sunday, one passenger said Ryanair staff had been warning customers at Hamburg airport after some had paid for the free forms.

Leave a Comment