Sadiq Khan issues warning over ULEZ scam websites as expansion date looms

With just weeks to go until the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanded across the whole of London, mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a warning over scam websites.

The scheme has faced a High Court battle as the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Surrey County Council challenged the proposed ULEZ extension – with the judge due to make their ruling by the end of July.

Transport for London (TfL) has estimated that on an average day about 160,000 cars and 42,000 vans that use London’s roads would be liable for the ULEZ fee – though campaigners say the real figure will be much higher.

The £12.50 daily charge is payable by highly-polluting vehicles, which in many cases are older and owned by those who are most affected by the cost of living crisis.

But opponents have vandalised more than 200 ULEZ cameras, and at least one man has been charged with criminal damage.

So what are the scams to be wary of and how do you pay the charge?

Let’s find out.

What are the ULEZ scams?

Sadiq Khan has warned the public about third-party websites which claim to offer ‘an easier way of paying’ the ULEZ charge.

He urged people to pay using only the official TfL website, saying:

‘Unfortunately, when people are searching to pay, internet search engines don’t always suggest the official TfL Pay to Drive web page at the top of their search results. This means that people may be offered a link to an unofficial payment site.’

Some of the sites charge up to £8 extra, and offer services which are either non-existent or available for free on the TfL website.

In theory, unofficial sites take a payment from you and then make a payment to TfL on your behalf. But there have been cases where these sites have not paid the charge on behalf of their customers and drivers ended up receiving Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

Sometimes these sites have taken payment for a day where no charge applies, such as a bank holiday.

Also, some unofficial websites offer a telephone service but use an expensive premium rate number that automatically connects the caller to TfL.

How can I pay the charge securely?

Charging days run from midnight to midnight, every day of the year (except Christmas Day).

You can pay the £12.50 UEZ charge on TfL’s dedicated site up to midnight on the third day following the journey or up to 90 days in advance.

Another option is to set up auto pay with TfL so that you automatically pay every time your vehicle enters the zone.

There’s also an official app which you can download from either the Apple app store or Google Play.

You can also pay by phone on 0343 222 2222 (or textphone 020 7649 9123 (if you have impaired hearing) but note that lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.

How to check if I have to pay ULEZ?

Transport for London (TfL) has an online vehicle checker that states whether your vehicle is compliant: simply enter your registration number.

Whether or not a vehicle is liable for the charge depends on how much nitrogen dioxide it emits.

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