Two motorists have asked Crusader for support recently after slipping up, but remaining unaware because they did not receive the first demand letter. When that happens, it doesn’t take long (28 days) for a failure to pay results in charges ratcheting up.
Drivers then find costs almost doubling and on the hook for several hundred pounds which is never a good situation and awful for consumers and small businesses struggling with the cost of living crisis. This was worrying scenario in both cases here which occurred in south east London. It’s worth noting that once a motorist is aware of the charge, making an appeal stems the hikes pending adjudication.
If you’ve been affected by this issue or feel you’ve been a victim of injustice, please contact consumer champion Maisha Frost on maisha.frost@express.co.uk
Both drivers who came to Crusader admitted their original mistakes and were asking to ease the pain by paying the first charge only.
So a big round of applause for Transport for London (TfL) which has showed real understanding by clearing the whole £270 plus debt owed by Citroen owner Kevin James. New charging from April 7 this year requires vehicles to pay a fee to use the Blackwall Tunnel crossing the Thames. Operating at certain times it’s part of a major effort to cut traffic at one of the UK’s most congested hotspots.
“I am so thankful to TfL. I live in a block of flats and mail does sometimes go missing, it’s always a risk and difficult to fix, but I should keep up more with the road charges,” trader Kevin told Crusader.
We also alerted Greenwich council to driver Graham Walker’s similar problem of missing the first demand sent him. This related to him driving through a Low Traffic Neighbourhood where trial restrictions are ongoing. The Royal Borough helped after receiving his appeal. Although not quite as understanding as TfL, it has let him off the increased second charge and he is most grateful. [names have been changed]
The Crusader: How to defend against foul soccer ticket scams
As the Premier League and Championship seasons kick off, don’t score an own goal by falling for a football ticket scam and get the best value TV sports package, advises price comparison site Compare the Market (www.comparethemarket.com).
Tom Lyon, Director at Compare the Market, recommends: “Ahead of the Premier League football season, it is important that fans shop around to find the sports television package that suits your needs and that could save you money.
“A cost-effective way to watch live action sport can be by taking it as part of a broadband and TV package from the same provider, rather than separately from multiple providers. It’s always worth doing a comparison to see what great deals you could find for your household, especially when there are special offers on.
“Another option is certain memberships which give you the flexibility to dip in and out when you want, as you can choose one-day or monthly memberships, without being tied to a long-term contract. This is great if you just want to watch specific games and are looking for a more low-cost option, or if you know you will be away for some time and don’t want to pay for what you won’t use.
“It is worth checking to see when your current contract ends, if you have one. You’ll normally have to pay an exit or cancellation fee to leave mid-contract. This could eat up any savings you’d get from moving to a cheaper package, so make sure you consider this before making the decision to switch.”
On the matter of scams Sajni Shah, money expert at Compare the Market says: “With the start of the Premier League and Championship seasons and strong demand for tickets, it’s important to remain vigilant to potential scams. When tickets are hard to come by, fans might be tempted to buy from unofficial sources, but this can lead to disappointment and can cause significant financial loss.
“To help protect yourself, always try to book through trusted platforms, and consider using a credit card, which can sometimes offer extra protection under Section 75 if something goes wrong and your purchase was over £100 or under £30,000. You can compare a range of credit card options with Compare the Market to find the one that suits your needs.
“Finally, stay alert to red flags like overly cheap tickets being sold over social media or sellers pushing you to make fast payments via online platforms. If something feels too good to be true, it probably is.”