Congestion Charge Zone: How The Scam Works
(with video below) You might be a victim of this scam if you live in the United Kingdom. The Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) is an area where every motorist must pay a daily fee to drive there. The charge was aimed at reducing congestion and raising funds to develop London's public transport system. Huge fines (£80-120) are given if you don't pay the fee.
The Congestion Charge Zone scam comes in the form of a very well-designed and official-looking email that tells you that your car has been spotted in the Zone but was not registered as having paid the fee.
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The email offers a link to photographic evidence that your car was there. However, you will not be able to open the link. But, there is another link, this time accessible, where the victims can pay their “fines.” Although they cannot open the photographic proof, many victims believe they have been caught and still pay the fee to the scammers. A time limit discount is also offered if the “fine” is paid within 24 hours, making the victims think they actually got away easily.
Watch the video below to see a different variation of the Congestion Charge Zone scam, exposed.
Congestion Charge Zone Scam Exposed Video
Fake Penalty From the HM Courts & Tribunal Service
There are also a few other variations, one of them being the HM Courts & Tribunal Service Email scam. The message shows you a fake penalty – say £25, which you have to pay online by following a link.
Needless to say, it is the same scam in both variations, so beware of these tricks. Since you live in the United Kingdom, be also aware of a few other fraudulent practices, such as the HSBC Text Message Scam and the HMRC Scam Call, accusing you of tax evasion.
How to avoid:
If you ever get a real fine for not paying the Congestion Charge, it has to be paid through the official Congestion Charging website, so check that website first to see what it should look like. If you get a fine and know that you are not guilty, you can contact the official website and put in an appeal.
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This scam would not work on someone that had not been in the congestion charge zone at the time the email says, and had not already paid the fee.
Therefor whoever is behind the scam, must somehow know that this person was infact in the zone and has as yet not paid, otherwise it would be pointless making this demand.
There really is only one group that could know this information, and that is TFL
This scam has to be coming from the TFL office itself