Tomorrow, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is set to double in size, a development that many drivers in the city have been apprehensive about. However, this expansion has also attracted scammers who are targeting drivers trying to pay the ULEZ charge. These scammers have created hoax websites that deceive drivers into paying significantly more than the official £12.50 fee, with some even setting up continuous payments that can result in thousands of pounds being lost. It is crucial to be able to identify these scam websites and take appropriate action if you have inadvertently paid on one of them.
The issue of scam websites pretending to be the official Transport for London (TfL) website was brought to the attention of consumer watchdog Which? by a member of the public. This individual mistakenly paid a company called ‘Ulezpayservice’ instead of using the legitimate TfL website. Upon entering Stanmore, they saw a sign indicating that they were entering a ULEZ zone and proceeded to search on Google for the official website to pay the ULEZ charge. Unknowingly, they clicked on an advert that they believed would take them to the official website, entered their personal information, and later discovered a charge of £17.50 to ‘Ulezpayservice’ on their bank account. To their dismay, their bank informed them that this was a continuous payment, implying that they would be billed monthly. These fraudulent adverts appear above the TfL website in Google search results, making it easy for users to fall victim to them.
Which? promptly reported these ads to Google, who confirmed that action has been taken. To avoid falling prey to these scams, it is essential to ensure that you only make ULEZ charge payments through the official TfL website. Unfortunately, internet search engines do not always list the official page at the top of their search results, which can lead users to unofficial payment sites that overcharge. TfL acknowledges this issue and expresses regret for any customers who have been affected in this manner.
If you have mistakenly paid on one of these scam websites, Which? advises contacting your bank immediately to prevent any recurring payments. If the payment has already been deducted from your account, you can request a full refund from your car provider. Consumer Law Expert Lisa Webb emphasizes the need for search engines like Google to take greater responsibility for the ads displayed on their platforms. Webb suggests that Google should adhere to its own terms and conditions by allowing only official websites to advertise official services on its platform. Currently, it is the responsibility of consumers to ensure that they avoid copycat websites and instead visit the official TfL website to pay ULEZ charges.
To determine if your vehicle is exempt from ULEZ regulations, you can use TfL’s free vehicle checker on their website. By entering your car’s registration number, the system will check its compliance by cross-referencing their databases. While TfL prefers that you use a vehicle that meets the new emissions standards, individuals driving cars older than 40 years can apply for a rolling exemption from the fees. Additionally, all London-licensed taxis and vehicles designed for specialized purposes, such as agriculture or the military, are exempt from ULEZ charges. For the convenience of disabled Londoners and community transport providers, the existing ULEZ grace periods have been extended until October 24, 2027. Designated wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles are also exempt from ULEZ fees until October 26, 2025. Drivers over the state pension age can apply for the extended grace period, even if their vehicle is not registered with the DVLA, provided they hold a Blue Badge and receive Attendance Allowance. In certain cases, individuals may be eligible to claim back ULEZ charges, such as NHS patients who are clinically deemed unfit to travel via public transport.
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