Go Via Toll Trap Scam Please Advice

newbiesh on 06/03/2018 - 20:05
Last edited 12/03/2018 - 12:16 by 2 other users

So I accidentally used one of these traps 3 weeks ago, using Google map with toll route switched off.

I barely fall into their traps only once a year, anyways called them next day to pay, they said it is too early and their usually takes 3 days for their "system to load" etc. I called them before last year and it was able to pay next day however they said they made changes blah blah…

Next week I made a note to call them so I did, this time said, No I didnt passed any toll and am fine for time being. I decided to call a week after and again nothing came up on their end, the fees were $4.60 to be paid but nothing were there.

Today after 3 weeks I received a letter with 2x of the original fee to be paid!! $13.31! It's not high fee but it feels like am being scammed.

Toughts?

They wanted me to join as member and pay in advance etc. but I use their toll once a year or two…this is insane.

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  Nutrino on 06/03/2018 - 20:12

  I lose sleep over this also. Anyways, back at the ranch…

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    newbiesh on 06/03/2018 - 20:14

    its not the $13 fee its just the system and how they rip ppl off that pisses me off.sure am not only one out there.

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      [Deactivated] on 06/03/2018 - 20:42

      I think I've mentioned this before.

      I got a toll invoice which included $12 billing charge or thereabouts on top of the actual toll.

      So I recorded the conversation and set up a trap because I know I've paid. I asked them why it cost so much to bill me? They gave me a rant about my responsibility to call otherwise they have to go through their system, locate me, print and post the invoice.

      I forwarded my receipt of payment and told them it was inconvenient for me to locate the receipt, track them down, and take the time to email them. I said at the very least, I should be able to invoice them for $12. If I went by my work hourly rates, that number would be tenfold.

      They declined to pay me my $12 and gave a pathetic excuse that it was a new invoice for a similar car with a similar number plate. Of course, that's rubbish. My number plate and car are readily discernible from a distance (the cops tell me that all the time)

      Brought this to ACCC under unsolicited charges. Of course, they are no help.

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  rambutann on 07/03/2018 - 09:59

  +1

  I recently had to go on a toll road. So as per the signs that are literally everywhere - I made an account.

  On Citylink in Melbourne it is sign posted literally everywhere stating that you need to create an account or buy a pass. I use it much less frequently than yourself (less than once every year on average). It cost $5.50 to create an account. This plus my toll fee was about half of what it would have cost to go get a fine in the mail.

  Really confused about where you thought you could simply call up and pay for your journey. That would imply that they would notice that you went on the toll road, wait a couple of weeks 'hoping' that you would call up & ultimately lose money because it took them longer to recuperate the money. They are trying to get $4.60 off you. By the time you add the cost of having a call centre to accommodate for the fact that you don't have an account and have to call up to pay your $4.60, they wouldn't make any money.

  Pay the fee and make an account.

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  Sunshines bright on 07/03/2018 - 20:30

  I drove on the Gateway Motorway, a toll road back in 2013/14 but I was unsure it was a toll road as the signage was confusing. I did see a sign to call a number related to tolls but I thought it did not apply seeing as I was not on a toll road. And by the the time I realized it might be useful to have the number we had already passed the sign on the Motorway and there is no way a driver could get the number anyway.

  Some time later and I don't recall how long maybe weeks maybe a month. I received a letter from the Queensland Motorways telling me I had to pay the toll and since I did not pay up front I had to pay admin costs and a late fee. Again I cannot recall the amount but I think it was triple the cost of the toll or more.

  I called them to explain and see if I could get them to remove the extra charges, they said no. So I think I called the ombudsman or the ACC to complain, then I called the Queensland Motorways back letting them know I was making a formal complaint and they decided to remove the added charges so I only had to pay the original toll.

  Let me add that I was a visitor to Australia at the time and did not have any idea how toll roads worked in Australia. In the USA they have toll booths that take your money once you get on a toll road. You do not pay ahead unless you want a pass you can use all the time. So I was looking for a toll booth to let me know I was on a toll road. :)