Drivers using the Dartford Crossing have been issued an urgent alert over a surge in deceptive websites that are leaving motorists with unexpected fines. Thousands of people have mistakenly believed they paid the mandatory Dart Charge, only to discover their error when a penalty charge notice arrived.
Official Warning Issued by Consumer Protection Body
National Trading Standards, the enforcement authority for England and Wales, has now stepped in to advise all motorists. The body is urging people to take extreme care and ensure they are paying any road tolls or emission charges exclusively through the correct, official websites.
Mike Andrews, who leads the National Trading Standards e-crime team, highlighted the scale of the problem. "Our research clearly shows that huge numbers of people are paying more than they need to for straightforward services," he stated.
How to Protect Yourself from Toll Scams
Authorities are recommending a simple but crucial step to avoid falling victim. "We’re urging motorists to take a moment to check they’re on the official website when paying tolls," Andrews emphasised. "The easiest and safest method is to navigate directly to the road toll page on Gov.uk and search for the required service from there."
If you believe you have been tricked by a misleading website, you are advised to report it immediately to the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.
National Highways Advice on Payments and Penalties
A spokesperson for National Highways provided further clarity on the payment system. They explained that in some instances, manual checks are necessary to verify crossing details, which can cause a delay before a journey appears on the payment website.
"However, customers can still pay for these crossings at any time up to midnight the following day, whether the crossing is visible online or not," the spokesperson confirmed. "The simplest option is to pay every time and on time. We offer various payment methods to suit different needs and aim to make the process as stress-free as possible."
The spokesperson also addressed penalty charges issued in error. "In a minority of circumstances, this happens. Where it does, the charge will be cancelled as soon as a customer contacts us to confirm they are not the vehicle's registered keeper."
For those who realise they have paid through a fraudulent site, there is a potential recourse. You can attempt to claim a refund via a chargeback through your debit or credit card provider.
