Argh!

[annwfyn]

BLOODY FUCKING SODDING SOUTHWARK COUNCIL!

They just sent me a motherfucking penalty charge certificate for a road traffic violation I don't think I committed (but, to be fair, might have done). This is fucking annoying. What is more annoying is that they allegedly sent me a notice back in June.

They didn't.

As I didn't pay said fine back in June, they've sodding well added on a penalty clause.

So, what should have been a £60 fine is now £180.

And I'm going to have to fucking pay it, because you can't bloody well prove a negative. I have no fucking capacity of proving that I never received their first goddamn penalty charge, and instead I just have to go further into my fucking overdraft, devouring money that I bloody well need.

At this rate, I'm going to fucking well cancel Christmas and just give everyone used crisp wrappers.

Argh!

Comments

[gothicmissy.livejournal.com]

That is so maddening. I really don't understand how they can justify charging as much as they do.

[davedevil.livejournal.com]

If you appeal, which is your legal right you don't have to pay the fine until the appeal is resolved.

[lapinenoireuk.livejournal.com]

Like DW says - you're not obliged to pay while you are appealing and you are entitled to see what evidence (or not) that they have of your "crime". Also, while appeal in process, they can't add any surcharges.

Don't they have to have evidence of their supposed earlier letter being received ????

Apart from that what can I say but, sorry, love. You're nice people and them ... well ... they suck the genitals of rancid long dead canines

[sea-of-flame.livejournal.com]

Don't they have to have evidence of their supposed earlier letter being received ????

I've a feeling that one of the bizarre bits of English law is that when it omes to delivering legal maguffins, the Post Office is deemed to be such a trustworthy institution that provided they can prove they posted the letter (by means of having retained a dated copy of it or their own records), it's deemed to have arrived with you. Oh yes.

(Presumably why a lot of competition T&C's explicitly have to say 'proof of postage is NOT proof of delivery')

Of course, postal strikes may well be the exception that proves the rule here - since they would obviously be circumstances where the PO was *not* operating in its normal *cough* flawless state...

[wildrogue.livejournal.com]

Definitely appeal. I'd actually say call them, explain as calmly as you can that you never received the original letter and that while you're willing to pay the original fine you think it's unfair to ask you to pay the penalty. It's worth pointing out that there were postal strikes in June so there's a real chance your letter was lost.

[lanfykins.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that is a good point.

But yes, appeal; it may not make anything better, but on the other hand it's not going to make it worse :)

[cristobel.livejournal.com]

I would definitely appeal, like the above poster said, it can't make it any worse, and if you genuinely didn't receive the original letter, then hopefully they'll only charge you the original amount. I'm sure if you stay calm and try to explain that sorry you didn't receive the original letter, they might understand.

[kissmedeadly.livejournal.com]

We've had luck when we complained to our local councillor about this sort of stuff; they're generally desperate for people who might remember who the hell they are in the next election, and lobby vociferously on this stuff which they tend to know their way around.

[kissmedeadly.livejournal.com]

Although I should also point out that you can have no end of fun with used crisp packets and a microwave ;)

[colonel-maxim.livejournal.com]

And light bulbs and CDs. Very shiny, and sparkly and explosive.

[kissmedeadly.livejournal.com]

Totally helpful when dealing with unexpected fines :)

[skinny-cartman.livejournal.com]

Well that's shitty

On the plus side tickets booked for the Unthanks in Cambridge
Wednesday 21st October :-)

[annwfyn.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! That has cheered me no end.

[colonel-maxim.livejournal.com]

I am with everyone else on this. Appeal and at least make them show what evidence they have that the notice was posted. If you want me to help with the law-fu, I am at your service.

[colonel-maxim.livejournal.com]

Besides which, make them show you the evidence of the otiginal offence as well. It may be rebuttable.

[lizw.livejournal.com]

I agree with the advice to appeal. I hear most councils routinely back down on about 50% of appeals.