The copycat websites appear to offer an easy way of applying for or renewing a blue badge but instead charge more than necessary and have no authority to issue the badges. Residents who use these sites will still have to submit their applications to West Sussex County Council and pay the genuine £10 fee to cover the application. Complaints have been received by the Trading Standards team from elderly and vulnerable residents who have unnecessarily paid excessive amounts for a blue badge. Richard Sargeant, Trading Standards team manager, said: “We advise anyone applying or renewing a blue badge to use the council’s or the Government’s official website. “Using a copycat website may result in your data being sold on to third parties. To ensure that you and your data is safe, always use an official ‘.gov.uk’ website.” If you have concerns about copycat websites contact Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or use the online reporting form at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport. For more information search ‘blue badge’ on www.westsussex.gov.uk Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage 2) Like our Facebook page 3) Follow us on Twitter 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! Always the first with your local news. Be part of it.
