Several identically structured websites attract users with a simple alternative to applying for certificates of good conduct.
Misleading websites entice people to order certificates of good conduct
The websites suggest that a certificate of good conduct can be ordered directly online.
Buyers only receive a guide for the price of the actual certificate of good conduct.
The websites officially. com and official channels. com suggest an uncomplicated and direct purchase of a certificate of good conduct for 13 euros.
The fact check
The websites officially. com and official channels. com are two completely identically structured pages - only the URL differs. According to trustpilot.de, these are fraudulent sites that shamelessly rip off users. Buyers had either received a “worthless email”, “a guide” or no certificate of good conduct at all, but in any case they were supposed to pay the 13 euros. They don't shy away from a reminder.
The requested fee of 13 euros corresponds to that required by the official bodies (registration authority, BfJ). The guide is the same guide that is available free of charge on the BfJ website.
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The website consumer protection.de refers to official channels. com as a “misleading website” . When asked by consumer protection.de, the managing director of the site refers to “Point 2” , which describes what the buyer receives after ordering – namely a guide in e-book format.
Consumer Protection.de found that the mentioned “Point 2” can only be found after you have clicked on both the “Order now” button and then on the big red button “13,-E Order now” . This says:
After ordering the certificate of good conduct online - step by step eBooks, you will be able to access and view all the information directly without having to search for a long time on the Internet. In the eBook you will find all the requirements, step-by-step instructions, a link to a video that explains exactly how to apply for the certificate of good conduct and some frequently asked questions about the certificate of good conduct.
There is also this note about the expiration of the right of withdrawal:
Expiry of the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal expires in the case of a contract for the delivery of digital content that is not on a physical data carrier even if the entrepreneur has begun to execute the contract after the consumer
has expressly agreed that the entrepreneur will begin executing the contract before the end of the cancellation period and
has confirmed his knowledge that by agreeing to this he will lose his right of cancellation from the start of executing the contract.
Conclusion:
The site does not make it obvious that the user does not receive a certificate of good conduct, but only the guide as an e-book, which is also available for free elsewhere. Many users interpret the sentence “Apply for a certificate of good conduct online – step by step instructions” to mean that you can actually apply for a certificate of good conduct online.
The “police clearance certificate” tab also suggests ordering the document directly. It's best to only apply for your certificate of good conduct from official bodies and stay away from misleading offers from third parties.
Related to the topic: Misleading offers about certificates of good conduct and extracts from criminal records
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