There are crooked websites claiming to be legal recipients of the Low Emission Charge. I know that if someone pays such a site, and ends up being fined by you for non-payment to you, you will threaten to take such a person to Court unless the fine is paid, notwithstanding that the person bas innocently paid a fraudster. I should like you to provide me with- (a) copies of all correspondence with Internet Explorer and Google showing your attempts to get such fraudulent websites removed and taken down and also (b) bow much did you collect in tines, during the past twelve months, from people who paid to such sites and whose excuse you therefore failed to accept. (c) bow many people who claimed that they bad paid fraudsters, have you taken to Court this year, and with what result in each case?

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TfL Ref: 2849-1920

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19 December 2019 asking for information about our ULEZ charges and fraudulent websites.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.

We are aware of the existence of some unauthorised websites taking payments for our charging schemes. These sites are not operating with approval from us and we are working with Trading Standards to try and remedy the situation.

1. Copies of all correspondence with internet explorer and Google showing your attempts to get such fraudulent websites removed and taken down

We contacted Google via their online form. We do not hold a copy of this information.

1. How much did your collect in fines during the past 12 months from people who paid to such sites and whose excuse you therefore failed to accept

We do not hold this information. When a motorists receives a PCN we do not know the circumstances around why the charge has not been paid. We would not be able to identify if the recipient of the PCN had paid the charge via an unauthorised website.    

1. How many people who claimed they had paid fraudsters have you taken to court this year and with what result in each case?

None. The administration of a PCN is a civil, rather than criminal, procedure and does not involve taking individuals to court. Full details of the enforcement procedure are outlined on our website at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/penalties-and-enforcement

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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