A father of three has found himself in a distressing situation after being visited by debt collectors for inadvertently paying a ULEZ charge on the wrong day. Steven Bortone, aged 40, expressed his worry over the fine he now faces, with his appeals to Transport for London (TfL) being denied. The consequence is a warrant of control hanging over him, threatening the repossession of his car or household items. Steven, a teacher from Southend-on-Sea and a father to children aged 15, 13, and 10, attributed the issue to a “weird little admin error” and maintained that he had paid the £12.50 charge, believing he should not be fined for his unintentional mistake.
The incident dates back to July 1, 2023, when Steven drove to Barking, London, to volunteer at a STEM club. He called to pay the ULEZ charge the day before, on June 30, but later received a parking penalty charge notice on July 7 for not paying the charge for July 1. Despite proof of payment leaving his bank account on the correct day, Steven faced challenges in resolving the issue. His appeals were continuously turned down by TfL, eventually leading to debt collectors showing up at his residence on August 14, 2024. Steven explained the situation to them and provided evidence of payment, leading the collectors to agree to convey the message to their superior.
Despite this, Steven received a notification on September 11 stating that the fine had escalated to £589 as it remained unpaid. He further received a letter from TfL rejecting the receipt submitted by the debt collectors, warning of potential repercussions, including the repossession of belongings or a county court judgment. Distressed by the situation, Steven appealed for an urgent review from TfL, emphasising that the payment was made, albeit on the wrong day, and expressing his distress over the toll the ordeal has taken on his health and finances.
In response, a TfL spokesperson explained that while Steven did not pay the ULEZ charge for the correct day or within the stipulated period, they noted his attempt to pay the charge initially. TfL stated their willingness to resolve the matter upon receipt of the original penalty charge. This ongoing ordeal serves as a reminder of the complexities that can arise from seemingly minor errors and the importance of timely and accurate administrative processes in such matters.
As Steven continues to navigate through this challenging situation, he hopes for a swift and fair resolution that acknowledges his efforts to comply with the regulations, seeking relief from the mounting financial and emotional strain he has endured throughout the ordeal.