Millions Overcharged Due to Contactless Card Errors
HOAR's investigation uncovered that a whopping 22.2 million people traveling in and out of London faced steep penalties for not correctly tapping in or out of train stations when using their contactless cards. These errors resulted in hefty "maximum fare" charges, sometimes as high as £27.60 per incomplete journey.
Reasons Behind the Costly Charges
Commuters can unknowingly incur these charges for various reasons, such as using different contactless cards for entry and exit, passing through open barriers without tapping, or switching to mainline trains without properly tapping out of the TFL system first.
An Unfair System
Passengers like freelance writer Eugene Costello have voiced their frustration after being hit with excessive charges for what should have been inexpensive journeys. Eugene was shocked to be charged £60 for a trip that should have cost less than £20 when traveling from Ealing Broadway to Gravesend.
Seeking Refunds and Fair Treatment
While passengers can apply for refunds up to three times a year for tapping errors, the process may be complicated and refunds are not always guaranteed. Experts criticize TFL's harsh approach to penalizing customers for unintentional mistakes and recommend lodging complaints in writing to ensure fair treatment.
What to Do if Overcharged
If you believe you've been unfairly charged, you can apply for a refund through TFL's website or lodge a complaint with detailed information. Consider escalating the issue with your bank through a chargeback and remember to cite the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to dispute the transaction.
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