Drivers across the country are receiving £35 demands after filling up at supermarket petrol stations, with many cases linked to Tesco forecourts. The letters, issued by recovery firm Forecourt Eye, allege that vehicle owners left without paying for fuel and threaten escalating charges and potential court action if the administrative fee is not settled.
One driver, Ruth, told Sky News she received a demand from Forecourt Eye claiming she had driven off without paying. She said: "I received a letter from Forecourt Eye saying I had driven off from a petrol station without paying. The letter required me - with all manner of threats of debt agencies, police and the inability to draw fuel anywhere else in the UK - to pay the petrol cost plus their £35 administration fee."
Ruth recalled the visit clearly, remembering a conversation about the heatwave with the worker and being offered a transaction slip. Checks later revealed that a till issue meant her bank card was never charged for the fuel. She agreed to clear the petrol balance immediately but challenged the extra administrative penalty.
Cashier errors cited in majority of complaints
Another motorist, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I received a letter from Forecourt Eye. Yes, it was my car, and there was no fuel charged to my card that day, so I am responsible. I have paid the full amount."
"But the cashier did not say the payment had not gone through; I was unaware I had not paid for the fuel, as I had gone to the pay desk and assumed payment was taken from my card. This is surely a cashier error. I am happy to pay for the fuel taken, but an admin charge of £35 is excessive when it was not my mistake."
Brad Young, reporting for Sky News, said: "I reviewed 27 complaints about Forecourt Eye letters relating specifically to Tesco forecourts since January 2025, and cashier errors were cited in 70% of the allegations. Chief among them were staff only charging for items bought in the forecourt shop or allowing customers to leave after the till machine failed to complete their card payment."
How to challenge the £35 fee
Consumer expert Scott Dixon explained that people can challenge the £35 penalty using the Consumer Rights Act 2015. He pointed out that if a receipt was offered, "a reasonable customer would take that as confirmation the payment had been successfully processed."
Scott added: "If the cashier didn't spot the failed transaction and allowed you to walk away believing you had paid, you could reasonably argue that the payment service wasn't performed with reasonable care and skill as required under Section 49."
He suggested returning to the service station to pay for the petrol, while requesting that the staff tell Forecourt Eye to drop the extra charge. He noted that people can also lodge a data request to obtain till receipts, transaction logs and CCTV images.
Options for drivers and Tesco's response
Scott recommended that, as another option, drivers could settle the fee with Forecourt Eye while stating the money is paid 'under protest.' He suggested contacting the Tesco customer service team to request a full refund of the fee. He added: "Make it clear you have paid it under protest to avoid further action and that you do not accept liability for the administration fee. Make sure you put everything in writing. If this went to court, a judge would take a dim view when presented with all the evidence, including proof that you have tried to resolve this amicably."
A Tesco spokesperson stated: "Our advice to customers is to always check that the transaction has been approved and ask for a receipt, particularly if there is any doubt. Where payment has not been completed, the cost of the fuel remains due and may incur further administrative costs to obtain the vehicle keeper details and manage the debt recovery process."
