TFL Got My Number Plate Wrong - AGAIN
Discussion
A while ago I got charged for driving into the Congestion Charge part of London. I knew I hadn’t been there that day so requested their evidence. They sent the photo of the van below which was somehow mistaken for my BMW even though the registration numbers were totally different. Eventually they returned my £’s.
Yesterday it happened again so I had my bank recall and cancel the direct debit. TFL aren’t happy. It’s not a lot of money but . . . . . . .
Yesterday it happened again so I had my bank recall and cancel the direct debit. TFL aren’t happy. It’s not a lot of money but . . . . . . .
D4MJT said:
I've just had the same yesterday, I live in Northumberland and haven't been to London for about a year.
They've charged me £12.50 for driving my 2012 BMW 520d Touring through A236 Croydon Road, and sent me photos of a 2004 VW Golf
Sigh.
This time they re relying on this image which looks nothing like my red TVR. I cancelled the direct debit as otherwise they d also be charging for ULEZ as the TVR isn t compliant.They've charged me £12.50 for driving my 2012 BMW 520d Touring through A236 Croydon Road, and sent me photos of a 2004 VW Golf
Sigh.
Edited by bad company on Monday 2nd March 16:24
You are not alone; happens to me all the time. Maybe 20% of the charges I get are for the wrong car. So far, I have had all the appeals accepted (they can hardly not!) and money refunded. IT not 'fit for purpose' but they don't seem to car because it only benefits them for the guys who don't spot it.
vikingaero said:
Shirley TfL should be able to put a marker on the account/number plate for a manual check?
No need. The road users are doing the manual check for them.And if some incorrect charges slip through the net, then it's extra income for TfL with no additional outlay for admin costs.
Win-win for TfL.
Mandat said:
vikingaero said:
Shirley TfL should be able to put a marker on the account/number plate for a manual check?
No need. The road users are doing the manual check for them.And if some incorrect charges slip through the net, then it's extra income for TfL with no additional outlay for admin costs.
Win-win for TfL.
I use autopay in case I go into the congestion zone in error. Not sure if I’ll reinstate it when this is resolved.
I use autopay because I regularly drive into the CC zone using 2 different cars, and autopay is an easy & convenient way to avoid having to remember to pay individually each time.
So far I've not had any erroneous charges on my account, but there was a period a few years ago when one of my cars was not being charged at all, despite driving into the CC zone.
That car was non-ULEZ so even though the ULEZ charge was being taken the CC charge was not. It must have been a gremlin in the TfL system, and since changing the non-ULEZ car for a new one, I have been charged correctly since then.
So far I've not had any erroneous charges on my account, but there was a period a few years ago when one of my cars was not being charged at all, despite driving into the CC zone.
That car was non-ULEZ so even though the ULEZ charge was being taken the CC charge was not. It must have been a gremlin in the TfL system, and since changing the non-ULEZ car for a new one, I have been charged correctly since then.
I've had a few charges go through on Autopay that weren't my car (different car and the same 5 letters/numbers as mine if the camera doesn't properly capture the extra 2 digits on the other car).
I just clicked dispute on each one and got refunded, no issue.
After having done this about 6 times I haven't had more recently, so maybe my account has been flagged for some extra checks before they issue them.
I just clicked dispute on each one and got refunded, no issue.
After having done this about 6 times I haven't had more recently, so maybe my account has been flagged for some extra checks before they issue them.
Southerner said:
I suppose there’s a risk of them taking potentially damaging action for non payment before they realise they’ve cocked up (again), which would be difficult for you to undo?
What could they do? I’d happily defend my case in the County Court but doubt they’d be daft enough to go that far. The most annoying thing is it seems to be happening with the same camera in a part of London I never go to.
They are pretty rubbish!
I changed the plate on my 720s and even remembered to change my TFL account. It s ULEZ compliant.
After I changed it I drove to London. Didn t check the statement when it came in but I did notice the £312.50 direct debit for driving into the LEZ zone (the outer London one) and ULEZ. For one trip!
Called them and they said they could see that it was compliant with both LEZ and ULEZ and would submit a refund request on my behalf.
I then had a letter to ask for the new V5 and proof of plate transfer. Sent that off. Bit odd considering that when I called they already knew it was fully compliant!
Then got a cheque for the LEZ refund. This took 4 weeks in total.
Called again about the ULEZ refund they owed me. Then got a letter asking for same details above PLUS the V5 from before the plate went on. We re now nearly two months in and three months since the transfer so I ve destroyed the old one already.
Another three weeks and the ULEZ refund appears.
Pretty sure it’s difficult by design to make people give up.
Crazy
I changed the plate on my 720s and even remembered to change my TFL account. It s ULEZ compliant.
After I changed it I drove to London. Didn t check the statement when it came in but I did notice the £312.50 direct debit for driving into the LEZ zone (the outer London one) and ULEZ. For one trip!
Called them and they said they could see that it was compliant with both LEZ and ULEZ and would submit a refund request on my behalf.
I then had a letter to ask for the new V5 and proof of plate transfer. Sent that off. Bit odd considering that when I called they already knew it was fully compliant!
Then got a cheque for the LEZ refund. This took 4 weeks in total.
Called again about the ULEZ refund they owed me. Then got a letter asking for same details above PLUS the V5 from before the plate went on. We re now nearly two months in and three months since the transfer so I ve destroyed the old one already.
Another three weeks and the ULEZ refund appears.
Pretty sure it’s difficult by design to make people give up.
Crazy
bad company said:
Southerner said:
I suppose there s a risk of them taking potentially damaging action for non payment before they realise they ve cocked up (again), which would be difficult for you to undo?
What could they do? I d happily defend my case in the County Court but doubt they d be daft enough to go that far. The most annoying thing is it seems to be happening with the same camera in a part of London I never go to.
Summons sometimes don't get printed or delivered and it's possible to miss this.
I would be making a complaint asking for a manual review of any case tied to your number plate and escalate it to the LGO.
vikingaero said:
TFL will take the case to Court using the Northampton Bulk County Court and you would need to defend it online or have jurisdiction transferred to your local County Court. Then they will send in the bailiffs.
Summons sometimes don't get printed or delivered and it's possible to miss this.
I would be making a complaint asking for a manual review of any case tied to your number plate and escalate it to the LGO.
I’ve done the online charge dispute and cancelled the direct debit. Hopefully that’ll be enough.Summons sometimes don't get printed or delivered and it's possible to miss this.
I would be making a complaint asking for a manual review of any case tied to your number plate and escalate it to the LGO.
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