French speeding fines

[DEV77]

I've just received a letter from the French authorities stating that someone has named me as the named driver of a Pegoet with French plates. I've not been to France for 3 years since selling a house over there, I did get a speeding fine on a XTrail I hired back in 2017 through SIXT. Is this some sort of scam? Do I need to do anything about it?

[martinbiz]

What’s the date of the offence on the letter?

[DEV77]

It's 2nd of August 2019 but the letter is dated 3rd of Jan 20. The location of the offence is close to where we were in Provence

[vonhosen]

Someone you once knew in France is doing their own version of PTCOJ?

[martinbiz]

I would just write / email them back stating that you have not been in France for 3 years and know nothing about the offence and see where it goes from there

[DEV77]

Ah right thanks the letter doesn't really mention anywhere where I can just reply saying it's not me without them asking for proof of transfering a vehicle I never owned or have any knowledge of.

[martinbiz]

DEV77 said:

Ah right thanks the letter doesn't really mention anywhere where I can just reply saying it's not me without them asking for proof of transfering a vehicle I never owned or have any knowledge of.

Just send it back with a covering letter attached, there must be some contact details on the letter

[martinbiz]

vonhosen said:

Someone you once knew in France is doing their own version of PTCOJ?

Quite possibly

[rdjohn]

The fine is always to the vehicle’s registered owner, and not the driver. Unless you know the owner, or he can prove that he knows you, I guess you are in the clear.

But you do need to write back and inform them of that.

[Beggarall]

We received a fixed penalty fine for 91 in a 90 (they deduct a 5kph allowance below 100kph) which had an internet link to pay the fine or nominate another driver. I am not sure what other alternatives there were to protest your innocence. Has the OP had a chance to look at this? I think the French have become much stricter at enforcement these days but it is mostly automated https://www.usagers.antai.gouv.fr/demarches/saisie...

[rdjohn]

This is the online appeal form

https://www.usagers.antai.gouv.fr/demarches/saisie...

I suggest you think very carefully how a 3rd party has provided your personal details - you admit to being in the locality, so let them have the details of the vehicle that you were actually driving. Was it a hire car, for example?

[vonhosen]

rdjohn said:

I suggest you think very carefully how a 3rd party has provided your personal details - you admit to being in the locality, so let them have the details of the vehicle that you were actually driving. Was it a hire car, for example?

I thought he said he hadn't been there for 3 years. The offence happened in an area he resided 3 years+ ago.

[martinbiz]

rdjohn said:

This is the online appeal form

https://www.usagers.antai.gouv.fr/demarches/saisie...

I suggest you think very carefully how a 3rd party has provided your personal details - you admit to being in the locality, so let them have the details of the vehicle that you were actually driving. Was it a hire car, for example?

Read the post properly mate

[vaud]

Reply in clear English (no legalese) stating that you have not visited France since x date.

IANAL.

[DEV77]

I visited France in 2017 and hired a car from Sixt there was a crash on the motorway and I worked out it was cheaper to take the fines and make our flight than pay for new flights. I've not been to France since then and did pay up for those fines just in case I needed to go back. I've noted that they put part of my address as Cast on the fine and I have signed a sale of house agreement and hand wrote the address and my E looks like a C. Sounds like someone has got hold of that and gave those details. I'll try writing back to them saying it's not me and see where that goes. Thanks for everyones help

[Poshbury]

Make sure you send it recorded delivery.

[rdjohn]

I would suggest you use their online system. They have an army of clerks dealing with these cases.

Just another thought, if you have you Google Timeline, perhaps you can send a screenshot of your exact location at the time of the alleged offence. It’s not something you can easily fabricate with hindsight.

[vaud]

rdjohn said:

I would suggest you use their online system. They have an army of clerks dealing with these cases.

Just another thought, if you have you Google Timeline, perhaps you can send a screenshot of your exact location at the time of the alleged offence. It’s not something you can easily fabricate with hindsight.

I don't think that is a good idea. It only shows the location of your device, not a person. It might look like someone has more to hide versus "I have not visited France since xx/yy/zz date"

[martinbiz]

vaud said:

rdjohn said:

I would suggest you use their online system. They have an army of clerks dealing with these cases.

Just another thought, if you have you Google Timeline, perhaps you can send a screenshot of your exact location at the time of the alleged offence. It’s not something you can easily fabricate with hindsight.

I don't think that is a good idea. It only shows the location of your device, not a person. It might look like someone has more to hide versus "I have not visited France since xx/yy/zz date"

FFS there is no need to make it over complicated just tell them you have not been to France for 3 years so they must have been given incorrect information and leave it at that. As said above, no need to start justifying yourself, or trying to prove you weren’t there, you have no obligation to do that and just makes it sound suspicious