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Auto top-ups failed on Oyster - legal to ignore them?

Poq
Poq Posts: 205 Forumite
edited 12 May 2013 at 6:21PM in Public transport & cycling
I just got an email from Oyster that 3 or 4 of my past £20 auto top-ups have failed.

It seems that the money was added to the Oyster account (and I've used it traveling around the city), but my credit card (without a limit) has not been charged.

It says I have to log in, but I can't seem to remember my password, and the 'forgot password' function needs a post code (and it isn't liking my post code).

It says that I cannot do this in a station - it has to be online. I could call, but next week shall be busy during working hours - not even time for proper lunch.



Seems to be too much hassle to deal with for no benefit to myself -- can I just get a new Oyster card and safely ignore this?



But the question is:

Will they go after my on the old one? Can I face any legal penalties, or will they just cancel and disable the Oyster, and forget about it?



More info:

I think it is registered to my name and current address... (despite the post code not working) so they could go via small claims court?

That wouldn't be fun, so I'd go with whatever's easier -- but as I said, I'm not sure where to find the T&Cs of what they do in these kind of cases.

I don't want to do anything illegal, but I also don't want to invest any more time in this if I don't have to and can just pick up a new Oyster for £5.
«13

Comments

  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Poq wrote: »
    I could call, but next week shall be busy during working hours - not even time for proper lunch.

    Oyster Enquiries: Tel: 0343 222 1234 (08:00 - 20:00 seven days a week)
  • Poq
    Poq Posts: 205 Forumite
    wealdroam wrote: »
    Oyster Enquiries: Tel: 0343 222 1234 (08:00 - 20:00 seven days a week)

    Thanks, but I can imagine getting stuck in a queue.
  • gb12345
    gb12345 Posts: 3,055 Forumite
    Poq wrote: »
    Thanks, but I can imagine getting stuck in a queue.

    Better and cheaper than a day out to small claims.
  • Poq
    Poq Posts: 205 Forumite
    gb12345 wrote: »
    Better and cheaper than a day out to small claims.

    Ah but is that really a risk?



    I don't see any mention of that in the email I got a few minutes ago:

    "You will now need to pay this amount manually in order to prevent your Oyster card from being cancelled."
  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Poq wrote: »
    Thanks, but I can imagine getting stuck in a queue.

    And I can imagine more nasty things than that happening.

    You owe them over £60.
    Why would they just ignore that?
  • Poq
    Poq Posts: 205 Forumite
    wealdroam wrote: »
    And I can imagine more nasty things than that happening.

    You owe them over £60.
    Why would they just ignore that?

    Oh really?

    I would assume that myself, but I don't see any mention in the email. I've also looked online briefly...



    Well, they've inaccurately charged people thousands of pounds in the past and haven't noticed, so I wouldn't put it past them to mess up here ;)
  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Poq wrote: »
    Oh really? I don't see any mention in the email. I've also looked online briefly...


    Well, they've inaccurately charged people thousands of pounds in the past and haven't noticed, so I wouldn't put it past them to mess up here ;)

    OK. You take the risk... it's up to you.

    I am now struggling to understand why you have started this thread.
  • Poq
    Poq Posts: 205 Forumite
    wealdroam wrote: »
    I am now struggling to understand why you have started this thread.

    It's all here:

    Poq wrote: »
    I just got an email from Oyster that 3 or 4 of my past £20 auto top-ups have failed.

    It seems that the money was added to the Oyster account (and I've used it traveling around the city), but my credit card (without a limit) has not been charged.

    It says I have to log in, but I can't seem to remember my password, and the 'forgot password' function needs a post code (and it isn't liking my post code).

    It says that I cannot do this in a station - it has to be online. I could call, but next week shall be busy during working hours - not even time for proper lunch.



    Seems to be too much hassle to deal with for no benefit to myself -- can I just get a new Oyster card and safely ignore this?



    But the question is:

    Will they go after my on the old one? Can I face any legal penalties, or will they just cancel and disable the Oyster, and forget about it?



    More info:

    I think it is registered to my name and current address... (despite the post code not working) so they could go via small claims court?

    That wouldn't be fun, so I'd go with whatever's easier -- but as I said, I'm not sure where to find the T&Cs of what they do in these kind of cases.

    I don't want to do anything illegal, but I also don't want to invest any more time in this if I don't have to and can just pick up a new Oyster for £5.
  • gb12345
    gb12345 Posts: 3,055 Forumite
    wealdroam wrote: »
    OK. You take the risk... it's up to you.

    I am now struggling to understand why you have started this thread.

    Clearly to brag about their master plan to avoid paying what they owe.

    Nothing like thinking big is there.
  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Poq, in the time you have spent posting on this board you could've rung the Oyster helpline and had all your questions answered.

    While talking to them you could've asked about peak times too.
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