Congestion charge exemption fee charged twice!

sueturnersmith

I have recently been awarded a Blue Badge, and therefore qualify for Congestion Charge exemption. I sent off the relevent form, together with my bank details, so that Transport For London could activate the exemption. There is a one off charge of £10 for this service.

On checking my bank statement, I found that they had deducted this charge twice! I telephoned them, and they denied having received any money at all, but said they would call back within 48 hours. Surprise surprise, no call was received , so I called them, and was told they had already refunded the money. I checked with the bank, who confirmed it had not been refunded. I contacted them a third time, and was told they only had a record of one payment.

I subsequently got an email from the Congestion Charge people sating they had no record of a double payment, and asking me to send them a copy of my bank statement. I did this, highlighting the two payments, both made on 2nd August. Today they rang me and said I will have to go to my bank and ask them to make a claim for the £10!!!

I have just been to the bank, and they have completed the forms, but told me it can take up to three months to get my money back.

As you can guess, I am fuming about this - they were quick to take my money, which was in effect stolen from my account - and are now delaying paying it back to me. Is there anything I can do to speed things up? I am on a very low income, and £10 might not seem a lot, but it's a lot of money to me!