Could I chargeback a dodgy fine?

dazza.mk

ahxcjb wrote: »

Short answer: yes, you can. I've initiated a chargeback against a clamping firm for a fee I paid under duress. It's important to write 'under duress' when you pay any fine in my opinion, not that writing it was important in Barclaycard successfully charging back the funds.

Good luck, and hopefully your credit card firm can stick it to those cowboys.

Ok, so you are advising someone as to how they should approach a penalty/fine that would be covered under French law based on your experience of a penalty covered under English law?

regency_man

We got a bit off-topic here didn't we!

Anyway to the OP, I think that if you really think this was a scam - i.e. illegal activity by some fraudsters, then yes tell your CC company and ask them to charge-back the transaction - they may want you to get a police report. You could check the vendor entry on your CC statement and Google it to see if it matched up with an official French transport agency, or whether it links to a bunch of other reports on dodgy train fines.

If it is a genuine French Transport Agency/Police fine and you are just a bit aggrieved about paying it (I understand it wasn't your fault) then I wouldn't bother. Most outfits like that are backed up by law and there is likely a formal appeals/complaints procedure you have to go through. The CC company are unlikely to charge-back a fine to an Official body like that - and even if they did you could put yourself in a worse position, there could be additional charges, fees, fines etc for not paying which they might pursue you for. Remember if it was official, then you legally still owe the French authority the money until you appeal and overturn it.

dalesrider

ahxcjb wrote: »

Short answer: yes,

Good luck, and hopefully your credit card firm can stick it to those cowboys.

No chargeback right on a PIN trans in this situation.