Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Non-motoring legal advice => Topic started by: lateman on January 10, 2026, 10:43:17 pm
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thank you lonestartstste (and everyone else too of course)
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As stated, submit a subject access request to the DVLA asking who has requested your registered keeper details linked to the vehicle's VRM, when and for what purpose. Turnaround for this is quick usually in a few days or less.
PayMyFuel claim they can automatically retrieve RK data from the DVLA ergo they would need to have a Keeper at Date of Event contract with them if they actually are the entity making KADOE requests. The KADOE contract can be FOId once the requesting entity is known.
If PayMyFuel are not actually making the requests and it is through another organisation that has a KADOE electronic link, the SAR will confirm that and that KADOE contract can be FOId.
It would be good to see the visibility of how these companies make requests to the DVLA.
You should also SAR PayMyFuel to see all data they have on you as given in the scant privacy policy on their website. They state they will no longer respond in that farcical letter so if they don't you can then escalate to the ICO.
With more evidence of the nonsense from this company, a firm complaint to MFG can follow.
Maybe just post MFG a cheque for £24.24?
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Struggling to see what more the OP could do to "get ahead of it", but interesting point.
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Not sure of the reach of Pay My Fuel but it might be best to get ahead of it if PMF enact the same behaviour as VARS, a similar firm and essentially blacklist the vehicle's registration from petrol forecourts their technology is operating at:
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/dec/20/fuel-theft-row-banned-petrol-stations-cash
Might be worth an SAR to the DVLA to see who requested your details and for what purpose.
I'm not advocating paying for the reasons other learned members have described above. A more robust complaint to MFG who have spun you a yarn about how they "cannot intervene". Might be an idea to work out how much you spend at that MFG forecourt to push the point home as part of a firmer complaint.
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There is no legislation that allows them to issue a fine or penalty. You would be looking for a very, very long time if you tried to find it.
you're certain of this? they wouldn't be able to successfully sue me in court for a penalty if i paid the £24.24 for the diesel?
That’s not what Andy said.
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There is no legislation that allows them to issue a fine or penalty. You would be looking for a very, very long time if you tried to find it.
you're certain of this? they wouldn't be able to successfully sue me in court for a penalty if i paid the £24.24 for the diesel?
though also, I've had a reply from MFG. it seems that they won't take payments and i have to deal with PMF.
(here is the email i received:
'Thank you for contacting Motor Fuel Group.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused.
We would like to inform you that your case has now been referred to the Pay My Fuel team. As the site team is unfortunately unable to process fuel payments directly, we kindly recommend reaching out to Pay My Fuel directly. Their contact details should be available on the letter you received, as they are now handling the matter on the site team’s behalf.
We truly appreciate your patience and understanding while this is being resolved, and we hope for a swift resolution to your concern.
Kind regards")
I'm willing to pay a small admin charge on top of the fuel i owe, but £50 is way over the top. and visiting paymyfuel.com it seems i can't pay anything other than £74.24
has anyone got any suggestions as to what i can do please?
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is it worth me filing a police report?
No. Why would you want to do that?
Who would you report? Yourself? But no crime has been committed according to your explanation in post #1 of what happened. It was an accidental mistake and you had not intended to drive off without paying - "due to stresses and tiredness, I am probably guilty of the offence and feel pretty embarrassed to say the least, as this is something I would never do intentionally".
See andy-foster's advice in Reply #17.
And you have offered to pay for the unpaid petrol both in the Morrisons store and (twice) in the garage.
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There is no legislation that allows them to issue a fine or penalty. You would be looking for a very, very long time if you tried to find it.
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i know that letter is a shambles, but to be honest, I'm not totally confident that they wouldn't be able to successfully sue me in court for the "penalty" charge. i can't afford representation, and i don't know where to look for the legislation that relates to this, and if i did, I'm not confident I'd understand it well enough to defend myself.
my wife called to see the manager for me today because i was working all day. he wouldn't give her a crime number, and talked all sorts of bs (my favourite was when he told her that against company policy, i drew fuel and drove off with my driver door open! you can see from the cctv still they provided that it's obviously closed!). he definitely sounded like he was just getting to bully us into paying, and that I'd have to pay PMF, not the fuel station.
i called MFG, and the guy i spoke to said that he'd open an investigation, but they couldn't guarantee that PMF wouldn't chase me for the "fine".
is it worth me filing a police report?
and, with all the other stresses I'm under at the present moment, with only until Friday before 14 days from the issue of the letter, I'm thinking i might just begrudgingly, and under protest, pay the extortion. it goes against every fibre of my being, but i can't really afford things going wrong, escalating, and i end up losing anyway =$
but whatever i do, i want to thank every one of you wholeheartedly for your replies and contributions
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I refer the learned gentleman to my previous answer.
However, I am struggling to see how going through the letter piecemeal and posting up every clearly bollox claim or statement as a new post assists the OP.
If anyone wants to go through the fishing net and pick holes in it for funsies, feel free to start a thread in the Flame Pit. You don't have to call it "Steaming pile of utter bollox letter from PayMyFuel", but it might help others to know what to expect.
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It wasn’t me that filled up, it was a family member, friend etc.
As the registered keeper, you are liable for any fines unless the party responsible volunteers to take responsibility for the case."
Their FAQs also says this:
"The car doesn’t belong to me I sold it
The information from DVLA still shows you as the registered keeper at the date of event, unless you can provide evidence that this is not the case the liability still lies with you"
The way these people operate is disgraceful. They are citing provisions in criminal law relating to VED and properly framed provisions to transfer responsibility to RKs so as to chase debts.
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That statement appears to be about as accurate as their claim to be able to issue fines in the first place.
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PayMyFuel letter is addressed to OP as the the Registered Keeper. It appears the OP in this case is also in the photograph as the driver but I am wondering what if PayMyFuel photographs did not evidence who was driving? Private Parking Companies have, in principle at least, the ability to shift the liability from the driver to the to the registered keeper in some circumstances but does any simlar right exist in non-payment of fuel cases like this?
The FAQs on their website (https://www.paymyfuel.com/frequently-asked-questions) include this statement but they give no indication of the legal basis for it:
"It wasn’t me that filled up, it was a family member, friend etc.
As the registered keeper, you are liable for any fines unless the party responsible volunteers to take responsibility for the case."
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... the case will be escalated to the next process and issued to a third party for debt collector which may lead to court proceedings"
but anyway, my question is: do i have 14 days from the date of the letter or when it was served (almost a week later)?
A debt collector has even less ability to do anything than PMF. Don't worry about that particular threat, and you can safely ignore anything a third party debt collector sends you. That's all they can do: send letters with ever more red ink and block capitals.
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Is that a serious question?
The letter appears to be at least 90% bluff and bluster.
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I've just noticed too, that on the letter it says that if i don't "settle the debt within 14 days, the case will be escalated to the next process and issued to a third party for debt collector which may lead to court proceedings"
(the grammar is _terrible_ isn't it?)
but anyway, my question is: do i have 14 days from the date of the letter or when it was served (almost a week later)?
and what do you guys think of this thing about being passed onto a third party? i thought these guys _were_ the third party?
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And you can't transfer a debt without both parties (Morrisons and Pay My Fuel) contacting the alleged debtor stating this
Are you sure?
The Slithy Toad is partly correct.
As are you.
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And you can't transfer a debt without both parties (Morrisons and Pay My Fuel) contacting the alleged debtor stating this
Are you sure?
The Slithy Toad is partly correct.
The debtor must be contacted to inform them that the person or company that the money is owed to has, or is going to be changing although there is nothing in the relevant legislation that states that both the original creditor and the creditor that the debt is being transferred to must separately inform the debtor.
This is covered by fairly old legislation (section 136 of The Law of Property Act 1925).
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/15-16/20/section/136
The requirement for the notification is to stop both the original and the new creditor continuing to attempt to recover the debt.
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…well i have already stated to morrisons store and the fuel station that I'm happy to pay the debt, but not very happy to pay the extortionate penalty.
Yes, that’s probably the view most people take. I’m not suggesting that people who have made a mistake should simply not be liable to make good the debt. But all PMF has done is to obtain your details from the DVLA and send you a template letter. Fifty quid is an excessive charge for that task and three times that for a “late” payment is outrageous.
A combination of this, and some people's lack of knowledge of the legal position in these cases, are probably key to the success of PayMyFuel's business model.
And there’s the rub. QDR sate in their letter
“You are the current registered keeper of this vehicle and we require you to make full payment of this debt within 7 days.”
They know that some drivers are aware that liability for some decriminalised offences can be transferred to the RK and they rely on that to fool those they deal with that the same applies.
PMF heads their letters “notice of intended prosecution” and threaten court action.
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but i also don't want the hassle of it going to court
A combination of this, and some people's lack of knowledge of the legal position in these cases, are probably key to the success of PayMyFuel's business model.
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well i have already stated to morrisons store and the fuel station that I'm happy to pay the debt, but not very happy to pay the extortionate penalty.
but i also don't want the hassle of it going to court, especially if I'm not certain that i wouldn't be made to pay the penalty (especially if it goes up to £150 for not paying promptly), and any other court costs
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And you can't transfer a debt without both parties (Morrisons and Pay My Fuel) contacting the alleged debtor stating this
Are you sure?
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If it were me, I would make a reasonable attempt to pay MFG for the fuel. If they wanted me to jump through hoops beyond what is reasonably necessary to conduct the transaction, I would take the view that they could FRO.
Whilst some might prefer to play silly b*ggers with "prove it was me", the proper thing to do (if you have morals) is to at least make a reasonable attempt to pay what you owe. And document it as best you can. If they refuse to allow you to pay, that's their problem in my book. Also, as they happily set their fraudulent crooks 'dubious' recovery agents on you, I would have very little sympathy for them.
If they were to take you to court and found a judge sufficiently 'motivated' to look beyond the fraudulent attempts to extort a penalty, the identity of the driver would be a minor consideration.
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PMF did give me the option to name the driver, I've attached a photo of the form they sent with the letter.
https://i.postimg.cc/xdNhzKPs/IMG_20260110_WA0026(1)(1).jpg
but yes, morrisons (both the main store and the fuel station) know it was me from the conversations i had with them (a bit silly and short sighted of me perhaps).
and apologies NewJudge, but i don't quite understand your last sentence. do i need to speak to PMF to get to ascertain who was/is party to any contract?
and when my wife visits tomorrow, if she gets a crime number, is it worth contacting the police?
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I haven’t heard of “Pay My Fuel” (PMF). However there have been a number of threads on another forum with similar topics involving a firm of solicitors called QDR. They operate on a similar model.
Their letters do not mention an intended prosecution nor do they mention a penalty charge.
There were different opinions in responses to those threads. The principal issue that I could see was that QDR make their demand solely on the basis that the person they demand payment from is the Registered Keeper. It seems “Pay My Fuel” do the same. That’s not surprising as they have no idea who was actually responsible for the alleged debt.
QDR have no interest in pursuing anybody other than the RK. In one thread the RK was not in the car at the time and he offered to provide the driver’s details to QDR. They didn’t want to know. In another the debt arose because of a fault with he “Pay at Pump” system. The driver had inserted a card and had £100 holding sum debited. The pump was supposed to see him charged with the cost of the fuel and his £100 returned. It failed to charge for the fuel but his deposit was returned in full and he didn’t notice this until after QDR had become involved. Again, QDR were not interested. I would imagine PMF operate similarly.
My view is that these charges can only be levied on a contractual basis and to do that PMF would have to show who was party to the contract. I don’t see how they can do that in most cases. Only after they have done that would the terms of he contract become relevant.
"...he first told me I'd have to pay the fine.
He seems as legally ignorant as PMF seem to be. In general, only courts can impose fines.
I take it Morrisons now know that you were the driver at the time?
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well morrisons' main store were very sympathetic and as helpful as they could be, but because they are separate from the fuel stations, i had to go speak to them. there, the lone attendant let me use his phone to speak to the manager, who was not very helpful at all. he first told me I'd have to pay the fine. he also told me the police were involved (i doubted this, as i have not been contacted by the police, and the letter from Pay My Fuel was issued the day after the offence). so i asked him for a crime number, to which he replied that i would have to see him in work tomorrow and he would give me the details. (I'm unable to meet him due to work but he said my wife could call on my behalf), which she is going to do).
morrisons' main store customer services also gave me the main customer services phone number, and also the head office phone number, and from the fuel station i got a business card for MFG, who run the stations apparently, so I'll be calling some of those tomorrow too.
in the meantime, if anyone has any advice, what info should i be trying to obtain from any of these people, I'd be most grateful.
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Worth noting that Morrisons petrol stations were bought by MFG a couple of years ago, so although still branded up as Morrisons, Morrisons 'proper' might not be the creditor for the debt for any unpaid fuel.
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I would agree with Andy that the use of the word "penalty" puts Pay My Fuel on very dodgy ground, as do threats of prosecution. And you can't transfer a debt without both parties (Morrisons and Pay My Fuel) contacting the alleged debtor stating this, which they haven't. That means Pay My Fuel can take no legal action for recovery, as it is not their debt to collect. They also have the problem that all they know is the vehicle's registered keeper, who is not necessarily the same person who filled up the car and didn't pay.
Morrisons branch is unlikely to play ball, but maybe a cheque (if you still have a cheque book) to Morrisons HO for the amount plus a small amount to cover their costs "in full and final settlement," giving all relevant details of course.
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thank you for all your replies.
the morrison's branch is indeed local to me, and i am going to go there within the next hour to see exactly if they've passed on the debt, and if I'm able to settle the debt.
i will post an update.
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The criminal offence of making off without payment under s. 3 Theft Act 1978 requires a dishonest intent - it does not criminalise an honest mistake.
That does not alter the fact that you failed to pay for the fuel and owe Morissons the cost of the fuel. They would also be entitled to recover any reasonably incurred cost of recovering the money (but not the cost of legal representation in the small claims court). However, it seems that they have farmed it out to a bunch of seemingly dishonest cowboys. If they sought to represent the £50 as some kind of nebulous 'admin fee', then there are many that might take that at face value, but when ostensibly seeking to recover a "penalty", they can FRO.
I have it in mind that *if* they have sold the debt, the purchaser cannot do anything unless Morissons have written to you to inform you of the fact. There are also restrictions on companies buying debts and suing for recover them, although the legislation appears to have been written in ancient Aramaic.
I would be minded to pop into that branch of Morissons next time you are passing, and attempt to settle the debt either at the petrol station or the customer services desk (assuming that it is local to you). I would be further reminded to record the attempt and [politely] demand a receipt if the attempt is successful.
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If they’re writing on behalf of Morrisons then it seems that the debt remains due to Morrisons and not PMF. So, PMF have no legal right to pursue anything in court.
If you think the debt is due, you could simply pay it (not the “penalty”) and they’d be faced with somehow trying to sue you to recover unspecified debt recovery costs for a debt you’ve already paid.
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yes i thought it looked a bit umm, less professional / legal than other letters I've seen. it reminded me of the awful tv licencing "enforcement" letters..
anyway, what do you think i should do for the best please?
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That is a legal hodge podge.
They refer to their letter as a Notice of Intended Enforcement/Prosecution, implying a criminal prosecution may be forthcoming.
They then refer to a "penalty fee" of £50. Elsewhere they talk of a "penalty charge" of £145 with a £95 discount for prompt payment.
Then they say that if you don't pay, they'll refer to a debt collector and may instigate County Court (aka civil) action.
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ok, I've uploaded a photo of the letter to a 3rd party image hosting site.
you should be able to view it here..
https://i.postimg.cc/j5jwJtwH/IMG_20260110_WA0025(1)(1).jpg
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Guide: Posting Images (https://www.ftla.uk/announcements/posting-images/)
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in the letter they do use the word "penalty". and it also says in big red print at the top "notice of intended enforcement/prosecution".
I am currently having trouble uploading a photo of the letter (When i click on the "attachments and other options" i don't seem to have an option for adding an attachment) but I'm still trying. can anyone advise on this too please?
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I would be interested to know the purported legal justification for the demand.
On the face of it, it is a deterrent charge very much in the same vein as private parking penalties issued under a conveniently 'clarified' interpretation of contract law - the legal basis of which is that the defendant entered into a contract with the PPC to pay the penalty if he breached the conditions.
Absent an appropriate offer communicated to the driver, it is difficult to see how the clarified principles of contract law could apply.
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Agreed, hence the quotation marks.
I've not heard of PayMyFuel but have seen cases on other forums involving Forecourt Eye who do essentially the same thing. IIRC their model is to pay the garage the alleged fuel money owed, then they add their admin fee on and seek the total from the motorist. If that's correct Morrisons are unlikely to be interested, as they'll have their money back already.
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Can you show us the letter you have received?
The 'penalty' sounds a lot like a payment in return for them not shopping you to the police.
I very much doubt they used the word "penalty". They'll probably claim it's an admin charge for chasing and handling the non-payment.
Morrisons are unlikely to relent if you went to the store and offered to pay: they're probably not set up to take such late payments, and they'll claim it's out of their hands and has been passed on to Pay My Fuel.
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Can you show us the letter you have received?
The 'penalty' sounds a lot like a payment in return for them not shopping you to the police.
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good
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i haven't contacted them yet, I'm going to do that today
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what did morrisons say when contacted them?
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if i returned to Morrison's and payed for the fuel in person, would i be able to get the penalty charge cancelled?
I'm asking because in the past, unknowingly to me, a debt (gas bill i think) got passed to a debt collector, but i immediately settled the debt with the gas company, which terminated the account with the debt collector
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possibly, though some of the pumps at that particular Morrison's do not have a pay-at-pump option. I really can't remember to be honest
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Could you have attempted to use Pay at Pump which failed, and you'd not noticed and started fuelling anyway?
I've experienced that with Shell that the app either glitches or the payment authorisation fails, but if you don't look at your screen after confirming it could happen and you're not aware of it.
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Hello all, I wonder if someone could please help. (And I hope I posted to the correct forum, many apologies if I didn't)
On Friday 9th I received a letter from Pay My Fuel informing me that I did not pay for my fuel at my local Morrison's service station.
Although I don't clearly remember doing this (I use that station as well as another local one very regularly, for fuelling my wife's car as well as mine), and I have heard of such scams, I think it's genuine, as there are photos of my car and myself in my work uniform (I was in work that day), and the time and date is consistent with me fuelling up after work. The amount of fuel they claim matches with the sort of amount I would usually put in (I'm a bit odd in that I always match the amount of pounds and pence, eg £27.27 or £42.42, etc), and there are also no records of any bank transactions (and I don't usually use cash to pay for fuel. I normally use pay-at-pump so I am not usually even entering the kiosk).
Like I said, I have no clear recollection of doing this, but due to stresses and tiredness, I am probably guilty of the offence and feel pretty embarrassed to say the least, as this is something I would never do intentionally.
Anyway, I'm now being charged for the fuel I took, plus an extra penalty charge of £50.
I'm obviously more than happy to pay for the fuel I took, but money's not something I have loads of, and I can really do without wasting another £50 on a penalty charge.
Can anyone advise me please?