Penalty Charge Notice: Failure to comply with prohibition on certain types of vehicle (Motor)

I received a letter today; titled as above, stating that my car had been driven in a prohibited area in The London Borough of Lewisham (with details of the road, date and time). Photographs were supplied of a car, same make and model as mine. However, I have not travelled to London recently, (for years actually!) and my car has very distinguishable stickers as I am a wheelchair user and it has been modified to accommodate my wheelchair and the relevant disabled stickers that are permanently displayed are not present on the photographs; so that combined with the fact that it was on our drive at the designated time of the offence; proves that  the pictures are of a different car but the same make, model and colour (the registration number is not visible on the photos) but it is quoted on the letter. They are demanding immediate payment for £160. There is a website address that looks a bit suspicious (I think, as it has "https" which I seem to recall is a red flag and no "www" at the beginning) and a London telephone number; both supplied for payment. I just wanted to warn others and wondered if anything similar has happened to anyone else? I have not notified the police but I am wondering if I should or would that be wasting their time when it's hardly a priority?!!

Comments

  • Keep_pedalling
    Keep_pedalling Posts: 20,413 Forumite
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    What is the website address and telephone number they give?

    If this is from Lewisham council then it will either be a misread or a cloned plate, so you need to respond to the penalty. 
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 34,418 Forumite
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    edited 11 April at 3:36PM
    I think, as it has "https" which I seem to recall is a red flag and no "www" at the beginning)

    https would be correct, as long as the web page begins with https://lewisham.gov.uk then it will be correct.  You can always go into the main page and navigate to the traffic penalty section from there, you can challenge the ticket on line. There is a fair chance your car has been cloned and if it is known registered in the disabled class it will be a get out of jail free card for a lot of charges in London.

    You need to contact them with the evidence you have that it is not you and also contact the police and DVLA.  DVLA can issue a new registration if you wish.


  • On-the-coast
    On-the-coast Posts: 612 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Aside:
    https:// is not a red flag
    e.g
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6600828/penalty-charge-notice-failure-to-comply-with-prohibition-on-certain-types-of-vehicle-motor#latest
    Is your thread here. 
    Addresses good and bad follow on from the https starting point, but in general https indicates secure (the final s)
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 19,892 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 12 April at 3:14PM
    I received a letter today; titled as above, stating that my car had been driven in a prohibited area in The London Borough of Lewisham (with details of the road, date and time). Photographs were supplied of a car, same make and model as mine. However, I have not travelled to London recently, (for years actually!) and my car has very distinguishable stickers as I am a wheelchair user and it has been modified to accommodate my wheelchair and the relevant disabled stickers that are permanently displayed are not present on the photographs; so that combined with the fact that it was on our drive at the designated time of the offence; proves that  the pictures are of a different car but the same make, model and colour (the registration number is not visible on the photos) but it is quoted on the letter. They are demanding immediate payment for £160. There is a website address that looks a bit suspicious (I think, as it has "https" which I seem to recall is a red flag and no "www" at the beginning) and a London telephone number; both supplied for payment. I just wanted to warn others and wondered if anything similar has happened to anyone else? I have not notified the police but I am wondering if I should or would that be wasting their time when it's hardly a priority?!!
    If reg is the same as yours than you have to report it to the police, as someone has cloned the plate & you get even more.

    https means it is a secure page. As all payment pages should be.


    Life in the slow lane
  • Fruitcake
    Fruitcake Posts: 59,439 Forumite
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    You should report this to the police, making sure you get a crime number, and report it to the DVLA.
    Include photos of your car with the distinctive stickers, as well as the images on the penalty notice or council website.

    You should also complain to your MP.

    You may be able to get some advice from the good people on the FTLA website that deals with police and council motoring problems.

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