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Fuel Drive off in my car wasn't me

I have received several drive off letters from 2 different companies stating that I drove off without paying for fuel . They have photographs clearly showing it was not me but my son ,I have informed them of this . I am the registered keeper on the log book and the car was taken without my permission on each occasion, I have told them this also . They are refusing to chase my son for this ,insisting it is my debt as registered keeper. How can I be responsible for something I haven't done when they have sent me photographic evidence proving it was him . I am refusing to pay on principle, I did not enter a contract to pay with them ,it was my son ! Advice needed please , I despair with him !
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Comments

  • la531983
    la531983 Posts: 3,461 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Demand the money from your son to settle the debt?
  • Did you contact police when car was stolem?
    Is your son insured to drive the car?
  • Herzlos
    Herzlos Posts: 16,048 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    In order I'd:

    1. Secure your car keys so your son can't steal your car in future
    2. Pay the fuel money before the debt and hassle increases.
    3. Talk to the police about the car theft and fuel drive offs. 
  • Keep_pedalling
    Keep_pedalling Posts: 21,478 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You really need to secure your car so he can’t do this again, the last thing you need is the police turning up on your doorstep after your car has been involved in a serious accident. 

    I am pretty sure they cannot hold you responsable for the theft of fuel carried out by your son. 
  • Mildly_Miffed
    Mildly_Miffed Posts: 1,831 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Will you be reporting your son, and supporting his prosecution, for Taking the car Without the Owner's Consent (TWOC)?

    https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/vehicle-taking-without-consent-revised-2017/

    Because, if not, I would suggest that - as the keeper - you are best off just paying now and dealing with him yourself.

    Then keep your car keys somewhere he can't find them.
  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,388 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    This issue is covered in this thread: QDR Solicitors non-payment of fuel advice required — MoneySavingExpert Forum

    It says that you can't be help liable. I am inclined to believe it, but you might want to take professional legal advice from a solicitor with experience of civil litigation. If you have home insurance and have legal expenses cover, you can get this legal advice for free. You might be able to get it for free if you ask a local solicitor for some advice over the phone on the basis that you will use them (and pay them something) if you need to go to court to defend yourself. 
    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • Keep_pedalling
    Keep_pedalling Posts: 21,478 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    tacpot12 said:
    This issue is covered in this thread: QDR Solicitors non-payment of fuel advice required — MoneySavingExpert Forum

    It says that you can't be help liable. I am inclined to believe it, but you might want to take professional legal advice from a solicitor with experience of civil litigation. If you have home insurance and have legal expenses cover, you can get this legal advice for free. You might be able to get it for free if you ask a local solicitor for some advice over the phone on the basis that you will use them (and pay them something) if you need to go to court to defend yourself. 
    If the OPs car insurance company get wind of this they might find that they get their policy cancelled so I would be cautious about using the legal services of an insurance company. 
  • Nasqueron
    Nasqueron Posts: 11,045 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 16 September at 10:23AM
    The vehicle was TWOC - therefore you report your son to the police and support the prosecution. Your son learns a valuable lesson about life and consequences of actions.

    Or you don't report and accept the penalties and your son sees you as a pushover and continues to steal your car and fuel and you will pay.

    Also "did not enter a contract to pay" sounds legal legal woo freeman of the land stuff, hoping you're not going to argue that

    Sam Vimes' Boots Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness: 

    People are rich because they spend less money. A poor man buys $10 boots that last a season or two before he's walking in wet shoes and has to buy another pair. A rich man buys $50 boots that are made better and give him 10 years of dry feet. The poor man has spent $100 over those 10 years and still has wet feet.

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