My husband and I traveled to various parts of Italy in April-May of 2015. We rented a car and for the most part had a good experience. Today in the mail we received a certified letter containing 4 notices of violations, all on the same day and within 6 minutes. Each ticket is 88 euros if paid within 5 days. How do we know if this is a scam or not and do we really have to cough up 332 euros?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32214 posts
Just curious, were you driving in Florence at the time the violations were recorded? The fact that they were recorded within six minutes seems to be a clue. Did you notice any recent credit card transactions for about $40 each from the car rental firm?
It's not likely this is a scam, as it sounds like you violated several ZTL (limited traffic) areas. So with that in mind, the simple answer is "YES", you will have to cough up €332. If you wait, the price will increase.
Posted by
Green Bay
20178 posts
Looks like you zipped in and out of a ZTL, several times. Easy to do if you are unaware of these. Where were you on the date indicated on the ticket?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
We were in Rome at the time.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I will have to check our credit card statement. Why would we have $40. charges from the car rental company?
Posted by
Green Bay
20178 posts
Read this.
https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/dont-mess-with-ztl-zones
Look at the map of the Rome ZTL border lower down on this page. It would be very easy to cross into the ZTL 4 times in 6 minutes.
http://www.car-parking.eu/italy/rome
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
The rental car company charges a fee for giving your information to the police, so they know where to send the tickets.
You were maybe a bit lost and drove around the block a few times, thus the numerous tickets within 6 minutes.
Posted by
3 posts
Just curious, what happens if you ignore the ticket and never pay? And never try to rent again of course.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23297 posts
It is not a scam. There are reports here and elsewhere that eventually a US debit collection agency gets involved. There is some question as to whether the collection agency could get a judgement in a US court or not but that makes no difference to the collection agency when they report it to the credit bureaus. It can get messy. Besides TL zones it is also possible that you drove in lanes restricted for buses.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
How do they expect you to pay? Did they provide a website or a Bank account number we can check?
A real letter from the local police must include details like:
- where you broke the law, in which city
- who's the sender and on behalf of whom
- how you can appeal
They must also provide a website where you can check the pics or, at least, an e-mail address. Can you find these details reading the letter you received?
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
As noted, these are not scams. You most likely violated a ZTL zone which prohibits cars that are not pre-authorized. Many Italian cities and towns have them.
Your rental agency charges you an administration fee for each and every request they get from the authorities. That is clearly spelled out in your rental agreement.
When you rented your car you also agreed to abide by local traffic laws. If you broke them, why would you not be subject to paying the fines?
Several people have reported here that some Italian cities have used collection agencies to collect unpaid violations.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
Here is another great website on Italian traffic tickets and ZTLs