Car Hire Companies - Data To Police Scam

[mcgarvm]

I was recently caught speeding by a mobile camera. This was unknown to me at the time and a letter come through the post informing me of the offence. I opted to take the fixed penaly option. Fair enough, I have no problem paying for my actions.

At the time I was driving a hire car. A few days later I received a letter from the hire company (National) with a bill for £30. This was to cover the cost of supplying the police with my details. £30 for quering a database and sending out a pre-printed letter, which would take all of 10 mins, really put my nose out of joint. On top of that they charged it to my credit card, which they have on file, without my consent. Now I'm really !!!!ed.
It's another example of corporates taking advantage.

Has anyone had this done to them ?
Is there any way I can fight back ?
Surely £30 is over the top cost wise for the work done ?
Can I ask for an itemised list of the tasks that justify the £30 charge ?
Do they have a right to take the money from my credit card ?

Any contructive advice welcome.

TIA
Mike

[anewman]

All I can say is if this is not on any of the agreement you signed (which I am guessing you may not have thoroughly read) then the £30 fine is unjustified, but my guess is it's mentioned in there somewhere sorry to say.

Taking the money from your credit card, again this practice should be mentioned on your agreement. If not they have taken payment without consent, but there's probably no point to complaining about that if you're going to have to pay the £30 anyway.

[piggeh]

I think the T&Cs state they will charge a 'reasonable' admin fee for such things, so its down to whether it can be seen as reasonable. Worth reading hire agreement to look at exact description. If its included in the hire contract about an admin fee then you have pretty much given them authority to take a charge (though its likely amount wasnt stated).

[piggeh]

The bigger scam in my opinion is the £1.07 surcharge for Road Fund Licence that they all seem to charge. Since when has road tax been £390 a year?!