Free Traffic Legal Advice

Just signed up here, had a quick read and believe the right section to post in...

Just got home to a PCN from TFL for using Blackwall tunnel. No, I've had an active autopay account/TFL account for years  stemming back from when ULEZ/LEZ came in, as it also covers congestion charging.

Im pretty sure that that an issue arose back in August with me losing a bank crd in a scam machine, and as the card was not long to expire, Barclays issued me a new card with new numbers. Naturally a payment failed, and I somehow( can't remember how0 I got notified of this... But I logged into my autopay account and can see this was resolved back on 23rd August with an email saying account reactivated.
This is an internal mail which can only be accessed by logging into my account.
As I say, details were updated, payment taken and email letter received saying account reactivated.

Now, jumping to today, letter on doormat, PCN. I logged into my account to see further subsequent emails - 3 of them  saying £10 balance outstanding, autopay suspended, autopay cancelled. Dates of these were 20/09, 29/09, 06/10. I got the fine for offence on 30/09.

In my ignorance, but ill say naivety, once I was aware my account was reactivated, I never even thought the need to check my account , as autopay, automated account, I wouldn't need to.  I have received no direct emails, or postal correspondence at all, so would have no knowledge of any account closure.

Is this on me for not logging into autopay account everyday to see if any emails have been sent, Have I any recourse with internal mail sent informing me account reactivated?

Just seems a little underhand somehow, or something failed somewhere?
TIA for any thought/advice on this.

Any further details/screenshots of correspondence I can forward/upload....

When you say emails, I presume you mean messages you only get when you log in.

On my account I have:

Correspondence and receipt preference
We will send receipts and correspondence by: Email

Receipt timing: Immediate

I think this the default. What does yours say?

 

Just been checking details. Correct Same default as yours.
It claims its been sent as an email, but ive not received as an email. I have to log in, download attachment. Its no a message per say, but looks exactly like a letter you would get.

I would like to understand from the powers that be how hey have reinstated account, I can see they have restored journeys since in early September, then closed ultimately closed the account.

im also a little confused as to why ive only got one single charge.I went Northbound and Southbound same day, within hour or 2 and just received one charge. Ill assume another one to arrive.

I thought TFL used to be efficient and an effective service, or has it got worse. 
I apologise for digressing,All at TFL probably think the charge is working in reducing congestion for Blackwall tunnel, to all intents it is, I sailed through there about 7.45 am. Getting there though, Lwisham,NweCross, Blackheath,Shooters Hill, Lower Greenwich, pretty much gridlock though. No doubt will be convenient for manipulating the next round of emissions increases squeeze more money from motorists.

I’have my doubts as to how autopay works. Of corse that is on me to read info and understand. I originally set auto pay up to cover the LEZ/ULEZ.
There were no funds needed to be in credit in the account, it was a rolling month to month. Pretty sure it operated 16th to 16th of each month, and debited on 19th. Sometimes it was an expensive month.
Congestion charge was included and paid in the same period.

I assume that any further charges as per tunnel would be paid for on same basis -  I would see o reason how or why an autopay account would start taking irregular payments.
As it’s all under the TFL umberella, it would be poor form to have different ways of taking different payments for different charges, or confusing. As far as I’m aware TFL autopay has never operated on a top style credit account as per Dart charge….
That’s another issue, where I set up an account for that, was in credit, but because on an occasion, as an infrequent user, I hadn’t made a trip in 3 months, they closed the account , no notification and landed e a PCN🤦‍♂️

Anyone would think it’s designed for entrapment…

Hi,

I have just signed up so hoping this is the right place to post.  Please advise otherwise. 
I have received a Penalty notice from TFL for not paying the toll to use Blackwall tunnel.
I paid for a return journey for the Dartford tunnel as I travelled to my destination using the Dartford tunnel and was suppose to come back the same way however my satnav took me back via Blackwall tunnel but I did not realised that the payment needs to be made to 2 separate entities, instead I paid for 2 journeys on the Dartford toll website.  If I am honest I didn't even know that they are 2 different tunnel and assume I am using Dartford.  Which now in hindsight is my stupidity of not knowing the difference.
I can show that I have paid for a return journey on the Dartford tunnel, and that I had full intentions to pay but not sure if this will be acceptable.  Can anyone please advise?

thanks in advance