ULEZ Fine

Gooner39

Hi there everyone. Hope someone can advise me out there, though I realise I may not have much of a leg to stand on!
I have amassed a high charge on an unpaid ULEZ charge from earlier in the year, though I did speak with TFL who said there was nothing attached to my reg number plate.
Unfortunately I hadn't updated my VS5 form (but my driving license has my latest address on it) and all subsequent correspondence went to my previous address.
A debt collection officer turned up over the weekend but the first I had heard of it was a text message with a ref number on it.
I have since contacted the debt collection agency and said I will go back to my previous address to collect the paperwork and go through it. Needless to say, I have since sent my VS5 form off with my latest address but just wondered if anyone out there had any useful advice? Obviously its my (honest) mistake but really want to avoid a large triple figure fine. Thanks!

DUTR

Gooner39 wrote: »

Hi there everyone. Hope someone can advise me out there, though I realise I may not have much of a leg to stand on!
I have amassed a high charge on an unpaid ULEZ charge from earlier in the year, though I did speak with TFL who said there was nothing attached to my reg number plate.
Unfortunately I hadn't updated my VS5 form (but my driving license has my latest address on it) and all subsequent correspondence went to my previous address.
A debt collection officer turned up over the weekend but the first I had heard of it was a text message with a ref number on it.
I have since contacted the debt collection agency and said I will go back to my previous address to collect the paperwork and go through it. Needless to say, I have since sent my VS5 form off with my latest address but just wondered if anyone out there had any useful advice? Obviously its my (honest) mistake but really want to avoid a large triple figure fine. Thanks!

How did they obtain your number? Things like this in a story from a 1st post, activates the BS alarm and the don't care protection comes on.
Sometimes if a story reads ridiculous, then it probably is.

forgotmyname

Pay it before it goes even higher?

Move to a country where the debt collectors cannot find you?

shaun_from_Africa

DUTR wrote: »

How did they obtain your number?

You can add a contact phone number on a V5C if you wish so it's possible that the Op did this.

AdrianC

Gooner39 wrote: »

I have amassed a high charge on an unpaid ULEZ charge from earlier in the year, though I did speak with TFL who said there was nothing attached to my reg number plate.

The ULEZ only started in April, and only covers the Congestion Charge Zone, albeit 24/7.

How old is your car, petrol or diesel? Had you been driving in the CC Zone? What Euro emissions does it conform to (your V5C will say, if it's an even vaguely recent car)

Unfortunately I hadn't updated my VS5 form (but my driving license has my latest address on it) and all subsequent correspondence went to my previous address.

Ooops...

A debt collection officer turned up over the weekend but the first I had heard of it was a text message with a ref number on it.
I have since contacted the debt collection agency and said I will go back to my previous address to collect the paperwork and go through it. Needless to say, I have since sent my VS5 form off with my latest address but just wondered if anyone out there had any useful advice? Obviously its my (honest) mistake but really want to avoid a large triple figure fine. Thanks!

First, make sure it's legit. I'm surprised if it's got to debt collectors this quickly.

Once you're satisfied it IS legit, then the best way to stop it getting larger is to pay it ASAP.
Have they taken it to court, and obtained a judgement against you?

Gooner39

Hi all, thanks for your feedback - the company obtained my mobile number from my existing DVLA file (as mentioned above). It was a legitimate claim, as it came from Transport For London.

The fee was £558.00 and I have paid half now and the other half coming at the end of November.

I figured I didn't have grounds for appeal and, due to them placing an ANPR ticket, which meant I could theoretically be clamped anytime, it was probably the best outcome I could expect.

Expensive mistake to make! Thanks again for contributing and helping.

DUTR

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

You can add a contact phone number on a V5C if you wish so it's possible that the Op did this.

RIP the callsure numbers, no text to that and no junk calls as it cost the caller.
That said are the DVLA allowed to share that info?

AdrianC

DUTR wrote: »

That said are the DVLA allowed to share that info?

If the information is going to an authorised recipient for genuine reasons, yes.

And, yes, you agreed to that (for GDPR purposes) when you registered the vehicle in your name and provided that information.

Gooner39

Update - Pleased to say that, out of the blue, a few weeks ago the money appeared as a refund in our bank account! No comms, no explanation, just a full reimbursement. Needless to say, very surprised but obviously delighted!