Gran contacted by bailiffs after car fine mix-up triggered by similar numberplates
A grandmother has been contacted by bailiffs for not paying a bridge toll in Kent, despite being more than 140 miles away in Walsall at the time and not owning the offending car.
Julie Scully was in and around her home at Bonner Grove, Aldridge, getting ready to welcome in 2016 on December 31 last year.
But two months later, Highways England fined the 56-year-old care assistant for apparently skipping the fee at the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing on New Year's Eve.
The fixed-penalty notice, with a fine of £75, was issued after a dark coloured BMW was caught on the bridge cameras – but Mrs Scully drives a red Ford Fiesta.
The error appears to have arisen from the fact the registration plates share the exact same digits except for a Y and V.
But despite explaining the problem on the phone to Dart Charge – which collects the fee – and having been assured the penalty would be cancelled, Mrs Scully has received almost a dozen threatening letters since.
The fine has been raised to £189.50 because she has refused to pay it, while bailiffs have also written to her.
Grandmother-of-three Mrs Scully said: "It has been very stressful, it is obviously not my car. I wouldn't even drive that far I am very much a round-and-about driver. It has been a nightmare.
"I just want it over and done with. I was told it had been sorted but I have still been receiving these letters. I think it is absolutely disgusting."
Julie's husband Paul, who has been dealing with the dispute on her behalf, added: "The main worry is the bailiffs saying they are going to come in. It is just the incompetence of it all. It has been like bashing your head up against a brick wall."
Highways England has said the fine will be cancelled and have apologised for the error. A spokesman said: "A PCN was wrongly issued to Ms Scully and it should have been cancelled when she first brought the error to our attention.
"Mistakes like this are rare. However, we are conducting an investigation to the reasons why to prevent this mistake happening again. We are contacting Ms Scully to apologise directly and confirm all enforcement action has now been cancelled."