European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) renewal scam?

On a couple of occasions, whilst travelling abroad, the bride & I have had need of, what at the time seemed quite serious medical attention. Once, in mainland Spain, one of us had to check in at the emergency department of the nearest hospital. It was a most enlightening experience. The staff and the quality of medical care we received over several fraught hours was top notch. Everything was expertly managed -even down to the provision of a skilled technical interpreter -and all for "free" on the basis that we were visiting EU citizens. All ended well -and very reassuring!

Nowadays, any EU citizen when travelling within the Union, has an entitlement to the same standards and conditions of heath care that are enjoyed (or suffered!) by the local people in that country. This commendable situation might be open to abuse so, to make it easy to establish exactly who can get this huge travel benefit, it helps if visitors carry a European Health Insurance Card at all times. Its been specially issued to confirm their UK medical status. The card is FREE -but its only issued on-request -and it must be properly applied for.  We've each had a card since the day the scheme started and our cards go with us everywhere. Just in case...
Like most of the first batch issued, our cards expired a couple of weeks ago. A friend, who'd already renewed his cards, rang to forewarn me that it had cost him £20 to renew the cards for himself & his wife. As an impecunious time-served, North Wales skip-rat, I baulked at the idea that the simple renewal of an existing state provided service should trigger any kind of new charge. I did some research.

It transpires that the Internet is currently buzzing with official-looking, ploys designed to catch the unwary and lead them through a third-party process that does no more than "check & send" a couple of items of personal data to the renewal authorities. These sites add a totally spurious £10 fee for the privilege. And the unsuspecting or gullible just pay it.

Don't be fooled! EHICs are still FREE -for first-time applicants AND subsequent renewals. Go to the official NHS here and do it yourself!!