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Top Policy topic #1628

Subject: "Benefits Supportline" First topic | Last topic
GAD
                              

Welfare Rights Officer, Welfare Rights Service,Lancashire County Council
Member since
15th Dec 2004

Benefits Supportline
Mon 26-Oct-09 12:02 PM

Anyone heard of this outfit?

http://www.benefitssupportline.com/

Can't find any of their contact details from their website. Somebody in Lancaster rang their 0844 number in the mistaken belief that they were ringing us (to be fair, the website doesn't suggest this) and we were wondering if there was any connection to previous outfits and have changed their name. I'm beginning to lose track.

I suppose if it's not illegal then we should expect more of this sort of thing and can do no more than emphasise publicity about free advice where this is available.

  

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Replies to this topic
RE: Benefits Supportline, JohnA, 26th Oct 2009, #1
RE: Benefits Supportline, GAD, 27th Oct 2009, #2
      RE: Benefits Supportline, clairehodgson, 27th Oct 2009, #3
           RE: Benefits Supportline, clairehodgson, 27th Oct 2009, #4
                RE: Benefits Supportline, nevip, 27th Oct 2009, #5
                     RE: Benefits Supportline, shawn, 27th Oct 2009, #6
                          RE: Benefits Supportline, GAD, 27th Oct 2009, #7
                               RE: Benefits Supportline, nevip, 27th Oct 2009, #8

JohnA
                              

Chairman, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group
Member since
18th Mar 2004

RE: Benefits Supportline
Mon 26-Oct-09 06:56 PM

Clearly very similar to other organisations of its type. Being conscious of the laws of libel all I would say is that the terms and conditions do not fill me with confidence:





By submitting an enquiry you will be confirming that you accept our terms and conditions of service.


These Standard Terms apply to:

1. The service described in the relevant service/description terms:

The services we provide to you under these terms should not be used for business purposes.

2. Where we provide the service:

We will provide the service to the UK address you give us, unless the service terms say otherwise.

3. Our responsibility to you.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that the service we provide will never be faulty, but we will do what we reasonably can, to ensure you that we provide a reliable and acceptable service. Please note that we do not profess to be legal experts in any particular field. We have no responsibility to pay you compensation for financial loss which may result from any information or advice that is incorrect or unclear.

4. Interruption of Service.

From time to time, for technical reasons, there may be an interruption in service. This is usually a temporary problem and will be rectified as soon as possible. We also from time to time, make minor changes to certain technical specifications.

5. Matters beyond our reasonable control.

Sometimes we may not be able to do what we have agreed because of something beyond our reasonable control. This could include technical issues related to adverse weather conditions for example.

6. Sharing information.

We will not share any personal data that you provide us, with any third party without your permission.

7. Contact.

In order to provide our customers with the very best service that we offer, it may be necessary for us to contact you on a regular basis: This will take the form of text messaging, emails and phone calls.

8. Promotional Material.

From time to time, we may feel it necessary to contact you regarding specific promotions etc; this will take the form of text messaging, emails or phone calls.

9. Call Monitoring

Calls may be recorded

10. Refunds.

We will only offer a refund should it be found that an operator was negligent within their professional capacity. All calls are monitored and recorded for this purpose and for training purposes. It will be at our discretion as to whether any caller will be entitled to a refund under these terms. This service is provided without any warranty or guarantee as to its accuracy, and usage of this service or website is at your own risk. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any information be fit for your purpose. We cannot be held liable for any loss or damage from the use of this service or data associated with this service. The information our service provides has been collated from a range of official sources.

11. Governing Law and acceptance of terms.

This agreement is governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

By submitting an enquiry you will be confirming that you accept our terms and conditions of service.

  

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GAD
                              

Welfare Rights Officer, Welfare Rights Service,Lancashire County Council
Member since
15th Dec 2004

RE: Benefits Supportline
Tue 27-Oct-09 07:44 AM

Noticed that, and the contrast between this and the introductory blurb:

"Trained Advisors
No jargon, just accurate and straight forward advice from a competent advisor, in complete confidence.

Professional
Enquires are dealt with the highest level of professionalism, by a specialist, trained advisor.

At the Benefits Helpline you can get benefits solutions at a fingertip.

All benefit problems are solved with fast, accurate, simple, expert advice."

I can't believe there are huge sums to be made from this type of work? Although it could prove relatively costly for individuals. Clicked on some of the news archives and these seemed to be mainly US based stories.



  

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clairehodgson
                              

solicitor, CMH Solicitors, Durham
Member since
09th Apr 2009

RE: Benefits Supportline
Tue 27-Oct-09 08:51 AM

registered in california:

http://whois.org/whois/benefitssupportline.com

  

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clairehodgson
                              

solicitor, CMH Solicitors, Durham
Member since
09th Apr 2009

RE: Benefits Supportline
Tue 27-Oct-09 08:54 AM

and when i clicked on "archives" it failed to link to benefitsadviceline.com, so clearly linked to that!

  

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nevip
                              

welfare rights adviser, sefton metropolitan borough council, liverpool.
Member since
22nd Jan 2004

RE: Benefits Supportline
Tue 27-Oct-09 09:07 AM

They are the same as at least one other organization highlighted on this forum previously because the picture of the 2 advisers on the home page is exactly the same picture that has been on the home page of the other organization's website.

  

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shawn
                              

editorial director, rightsnet
Member since
28th Jul 2005

RE: Benefits Supportline
Tue 27-Oct-09 09:13 AM

unless those 2 advisers are working for both orgs ..... they are real advisers aren't they?!

  

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GAD
                              

Welfare Rights Officer, Welfare Rights Service,Lancashire County Council
Member since
15th Dec 2004

RE: Benefits Supportline
Tue 27-Oct-09 09:15 AM

Of course they are! We all look like that in my office anyway.

Think the images probably come as part of the package when you pay your $9.95 to buy the domain name.

  

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nevip
                              

welfare rights adviser, sefton metropolitan borough council, liverpool.
Member since
22nd Jan 2004

RE: Benefits Supportline
Tue 27-Oct-09 09:39 AM

Maybe all these (so called) advisers are actually cloned robots. I'd love to see them do an old rules child support calculation. Cannot compute, cannot compute, cannot comp.... (head blows up)

  

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Top Policy topic #1628First topic | Last topic