Like so many others I have received a demand for tollbooth charges (approx £14) plus approx £45 of added fines and charges for allegedly driving through toll booths in Portugal 6 months ago. I have no recollection of driving through booths without paying, which I would never do intentionally, and therefore no way of defending myself against the claims. During a 3 month trip I drove through France, Spain and Portugal and paid dozens of toll charges in all those countries including some in Portugal but for some reason decided not to pay just in one small area around the city of Leiria. Clearly there is something different and wrong about the system in that area.I submitted my online appeal against the additional charges but offered to pay the actual toll charges. I thought it strange that I did not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of my appeal but then forgot about it for a few weeks. Today I rang and spoke to an "Agent" from the company who advised that he couldn't access my records, that they didn't send acknowledgements (which is handy for them if you don't keep an absolute proof of your online submission, which isn't easy! I was told I had to email to request an acknowledgement!! which I have done.The business model seems to be- harvest all the weird and spurious toll booth infringements across Europe, add approx five time the cost as fines and charges and wait for anxious and/or busy people just to pay up! Easy money if you have no conscience!
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