Driver fined £105 for driving down bus lane but it was a scam

A DRIVER was slapped with a £105 fine for driving in a phantom bus lane – before realising it was a scam.

Tony Hill, 55, received a penalty notice from Birmingham City Council claiming he had strayed into the bus lane on “OId Walsall Road South” at 6.20pm on November 12.

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The notice demanded that the DHL delivery driver pay £70, increased to £105 because of non-payment.

But Tony, who has never had a parking ticket, noticed that the letter did not include his name or any images or evidence of the alleged offence.

Smelling a rat, he then realised that he could not have driven in the bus lane on “Old Walsall Road South”, because no such road exists.

Tony rang the council – rather than the number listed on the letter – who confirmed that the penalty notice was a scam.

He told BirminghamLive: “I put it on Facebook and a couple of people said they had received them too.

“One person messaged me and said they had actually paid because he used the road a lot and did not even think about it.

“I pride myself on being a good driver. I’ve never had a parking ticket and it was 1996 when I last had penalty points.

“I don’t even know what a fine looks like.”

Birmingham City Council said: “We’d advise anyone unsure about any correspondence to check our website for the advice there and if still concerned to then contact us to make sure about any such letters.”

It comes after a top money expert urged drivers to check their parking tickets for a hidden detail that could help you appeal a fine.

The expert also shared a little-known 10-minute rule that can help you appeal a ticket and win.