Why I hate the modern world

[wreck rider]

If you were to put the document you received and the official ones you had previously received in front of a jury, would they agree that the similarities are such that, despite offering a genuine service, it constitutes a criminal fraud?

Not being an expert, I would say there was undoubtedly the intention to mimic HMRC documentation. I would assume these companies take care to operate just within the law? So I doubt it constitutes a criminal fraud.
This does not mean the intention is not to deceive though. So immoral not illegal would appear to be the case here.
Your analogy about not using a bike mechanic but employing a car mechanic is fine, but they both clearly advertise as such. These companies lack that clarity and the only conclusion is that this is done to deceive. I would have no problem if this particular firm had a distinctive logo and explained the service on offer, I would conclude that I did not need such an unnecessary service at such a high potential cost, and not use it.

 

[mjr]

I'm the one who doesn't have all the junk mail pouring through my door....

That's because they don't think anyone in your street has enough money to interest them just now

 

[Fnaar]

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers were in love with the modern world

 

[wreck rider]

I have just spotted the flaw with this bit

It would be a pretty useless inside job, passing your details on just after you have sorted it yourself.

I've got no other explanation? I never googled tax rebate, never went through any financial website. The letter in question arrived with the flurry of HMRC documents detailing 4 years contributions and the cheque.

Edited for clarity

 

[classic33]

I have just spotted the flaw with this bit

It would be a pretty useless inside job, passing your details on just after you have sorted it yourself.

Same time next year?

 

[KnackeredBike]

The biggest fraudsters are HMRC making everything so obscure.

For instance, they could always ask employers who wears uniforms and just apply a rebate to them automatically.

But instead you have to fill out a twelve page form and post it of (unless you can remember which of your Government Gateway logins is the right one).

HMRC relies on the fact that most people don't bother and so they are quids in. If a company gets you some money that is better than no money. And if they, using their expertise, get you to claim more than you would otherwise (as they are incentivised to do because they get commission rather than a flat fee) than you benefit.

The people that gain from this secret handshake nonsense are HMRC and accountants, which is profoundly depressing.

 

[nickyboy]

This a volume-based business....contact loads of people who are due a refund, offer refund reclamation services

My main concern is that for this to be a volume-based business someone (presumably within HMRC) has to be passing the database of people due a refund to this company. Presumably in return for some payment

I can't think of any other way this "business" could work. In which case it's extremely disappointing that HMRC has such weak systems and controls so as to fail to prevent this happening

 

[Pale Rider]

This a volume-based business....contact loads of people who are due a refund, offer refund reclamation services

My main concern is that for this to be a volume-based business someone (presumably within HMRC) has to be passing the database of people due a refund to this company. Presumably in return for some payment

I can't think of any other way this "business" could work. In which case it's extremely disappointing that HMRC has such weak systems and controls so as to fail to prevent this happening

The OP isn't entirely clear to me, but I think the commercial leaflet arrived in the same envelope as the tax paperwork from HMRC.

In other words, the commercial company is paying HMRC to put the leaflet in the letters it sends.

That would explain why the otherwise nonsensical offer of help to get a refund arrived in the same envelope as details of the refund.

The leaflet would also go in with other HMRC correspondence where an offer of help with a refund would make sense - if the tax payer wanted to pay someone for such a service.

 

[mustang1]

Labelling regulations try to stop consumers thinking they are getting something they are not, but it only works if you know the 'code'.
e.g. 'fruit juice' is 100% fruit juice*
a 'fruit drink' is diluted fruit juice - you are paying for water - but unless you know what the 'drink' on the label means, the labelling regulation is useless

*OK, long life fruit juice is diluted concentrate, but you should be getting the same amount of 'fruit' as if it had been fresh

Like herbal remedy adverts (the main ones I read are on the backs of the doors in the loos in motorway service stations), usually advertising things that 'can' 'help to relieve' symptoms of the menopause.
Indeed, such woolly wording indicates no controlled trials have shown that the remedy does help, but most people would take the wording at face value...

...and breathe.

Or creams that reduce the APPEARANCE of wrinkles, but not the wrinkles themselves.

Or free minutes on your mobile phone once you've paid for it.

 

[wreck rider]

The OP isn't entirely clear to me, but I think the commercial leaflet arrived in the same envelope as the tax paperwork from HMRC.

Sorry for not being clear, no, it arrived separately in an envelope strikingly similar to the official ones.

Thread title is admittedly OTT. I'm just sick of barely legal confidence tricks that masquerade as legitimate business. It can feel relentless and soul destroying once targeted.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Despite its obvious and irritating flaws I rather love the modern world. At times it is shite, but then one only has to consider the alternatives!

 

[Pale Rider]

Sorry for not being clear, no, it arrived separately in an envelope strikingly similar to the official ones.

Thread title is admittedly OTT. I'm just sick of barely legal confidence tricks that masquerade as legitimate business. It can feel relentless and soul destroying once targeted.

Talk a while ago of HMRC selling 'anonymised individual level data', not quite what happened to you, but possibly things have developed in the meantime.

The DVLA's database of registered vehicle keepers is available to be searched by almost anyone prepared to pay for it, so there is history of government agencies flogging data.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/18/hmrc-to-sell-taxpayers-data

 

[classic33]

Why would a commercial company, who negotiate repayments, pay to have their flyer posted with a repayment? Does that make any sense to anyone?

They may have paid for it to be included in mail sent out, but aren't able to dictate what it get sent out with.

The company paid to include it are doing just that.

 

[swee'pea99]

Hair. There's another one. Much more of it about in the old days, which was good.

(I should add, 'hair in the right places'.)

 

[classic33]

Knees

Knees were much better things in the 80s and 90s.

That's old age.