Advice Please - Car Tax Paid But Being Fined

Shortie

Hello

Wondering if anyone can offer advice as I'm worried sick and fed up

Just got home to open a letter from a debt colection agency for supposed non-payment of my car tax.

I bought a new (2nd hand) car and paid for 6 months car tax online in early April this year. The standing order came out of my account in mid April. I can see the payment has gone out and I can still see that the standing order exists on my side on my bank account. I have not had any refund on my tax

I have had 2 previous letters from the DVLA to say that my car is untaxed and each time I have called them to find oit what's going on. The first time I was told they could see my car was taxed and that there was an error their side and all was now fine.

The second time I was told that because I had cancelled my standing order (I haven't - it's still showing on my account) that they cancelled my road tax. When I pointed out that I had not done that bor had any form of refund from them so I have still paid form 6 months road tax, they checked, appologised and reinstated my road tax.

I have since intermittently checked the online road tax checker to make sure as I've been paranoid since of them cancelling it again on me

I have checked the gov online road tax checker again and that tells me my car is currently taxed until October 2015.

The DVLA computer seems to say one thing and their accounts department believe another

I've never even missed a payment on a loan etc before and so this has got me completely stressed.

I have no idea what to do, how to resolve it, and don't know if I can trust their road tax system going forward for fear of this repeatedly happening. I am sat feeling sick and want to cry...

Sorry, does anyone have any advice / has anyone else been in this situation before?

Shortie

A mini update (clearly I'm getting no sleep tonight)

I've just fired off a complaint to the CEO taken from their site. I explained my reason for not going to the CCRT team first is that I want proof of the email in my inbox and their contact is only an online form or postal address. See what happens. I've sent hem screen shots of the fact my car is taxed according to online checks, a screen shot to proove of my Direct Debit still exists, and a screen shot to proove that they took payment from my account

On Monday I will called Rossendales to speak to them. No idea what they will day but it will be worse of I stay silent towards them and they are only doing a job as instructed by the DVLA

I will also call the DVLA again on Monday to try and resolve it (again)

When others are up (ie not this rediculous hour, lol) I'd still be keen to know if anyone else has experienced this and what the outcome was?

Another worrying though - will this show up adversely now on my credit search when I reapply for my mortgage when my fixed rate finishes? I work for a bank, this will look really bad if I have something like this falsely on my record (plus the fact I don'tvwant it there as it's not correct)

worried_jim

Don't panic! It won't show on your credit report, it's not credit! Sounds like you have all your info to hand, simply and calmly give them a call on Monday (dvla, can't see much point wasting your time with Rossendales) and ask them for a breakdown of the problem.

Are you sure this doesn't relate to your previous car?

Joe_Horner

For the debt collectors, simply inform them that the debt is disputed and that they should refer it back to DVLA. You don't need to give them any other details or evidence, they must refer disputed debts back.

rich13348

Its best to phone the debt recovery people so they don't send people round. But if you phone them and explain the situation they will most likely pass it back to DVLA as they don't want the hassle.

enfield_freddy

rich13348 wrote: »

Its best to phone the debt recovery people so they don't send people round. But if you phone them and explain the situation they will most likely pass it back to DVLA as they don't want the hassle.

please remember Rosendale's comprise of 2 companies ,


Rossendale bailiffs
Rossendale recovery




the first one is used by councils etc , and they can come knocking and take your goods


the second one (the one you have got a letter from) are toothless debt collectors , with no right of entry , "they" cannot get you a "ccj" , only the originating company , if they go to court , you loose , and you don't pay




NEVER ring debt collectors , mail only , first class with proof of postage


the debt is disputed , please refer it back to the DVLA.

HappyMJ

Next time pay by monthly direct debit or 12 months tax. It's cheaper than the the 6 month option.

molerat

HappyMJ wrote: »

Next time pay by monthly direct debit or 12 months tax. It's cheaper than the the 6 month option.

I believe OP paid 6 months by DD (as they mention standing order later in the month which is not an available method) which is the same cost as paying by monthly DD. The expensive option is paying 6 months at a PO or by card.

Shortie

Thanks all, I'm glad it won't yet affect my credit rating

I did double check and it is definately my current car (the number plate is on the letter), and the 'date of offence' is 1st April which is when I have paid my tax from (it expires according to their site on 1st October so it all ties up on there)

It just feels so futile as his was supposed to be dealt with 2 times before. I will ask for them to confirm in writing that it is resolved so that I have it in writing from them (DVLA that is)

Thank goodness the debt collection agency have no powers. I will take this (very) serious as that is my nature - I'm hugely risk adverse, but I was fretting that they may just turn uo one day ond tow away my car (yea, the panic did blow this up huge in my head, sorry)

Thanks for the advice all. I will call Rossendales tomorrow just so that I have made contact in the required 7 days and also send a recorded delivery letter to say this is disputed also in wriing to them.

I will call the DVLA tomorrow. It won't be the fault of the person on the phone so I will be calm ( I work in support,I know what it's like to face upset people when you haven't personally caused the problem so I try not to inflict it on other people the other way round)

Thank you so much all, it's been very reassuring

Going forward I will sort the payment from October to be monthly. I think it's slightly more expensive but I quite frankly don't trust their system and seeing the payment go out every month will give me a sense of security.