A small typo with a big effect: a 35-year-old from the Tyrolean Unterland quickly became a rascal in Germany. She almost paid the fine plus a fee of 88.50 euros.
“Please don’t take another speeding fine”, thought Martina (name changed by the editors) at first glance at a letter from the central fine office of the regional council in Karlsruhe that fluttered into her house a few days ago. “I recently went on a trip to Germany with my husband and children and had a very nice day in a thermal bath,” the Tyrolean tells the “Krone”. The fact that the family outing could supposedly have an expensive aftermath naturally annoyed the mother of two.
The 35-year-old is said to have been flashed at more than 118 km/h outside a city, where a speed limit of 100 is allowed. “The fine for this traffic violation is 60 euros. As a data subject, you must also bear the fees and costs of at least 28.50 euros. If you admit the traffic violation, you can transfer the 88.50 euros immediately!” The letter from the fine office says something like this.
“We have never been to Gruibingen near Stuttgart”
But even before Martina opened the bank app for the transfer, she discovered that the traffic violation allegedly took place in Gruibingen near Stuttgart. ‘We have never been there’, the Tyrolean no longer understood the world. And the woman in the (extremely blurry) evidence photo may only have similarities with the 35-year-old.
Fraudulent letters also suspected
Could the letter be fake? “The police officer Nick and the clerk named Bay were actually an indication to me that the letter could come from scammers”, the Tyrolean smiles afterwards. But that is of course the name of the two officials. “I contacted the local police, who were finally able to clarify the dubious matter.”
Because a letter in the license plate was incorrect, the 35-year-old suffered. And what annoys her the most: “I was about to switch.”
Possible rip-off after car holiday in Italy
Year after year, many Tyroleans from Italy also receive unpleasant holiday greetings. In most cases, those affected would have entered a traffic-calmed zone, a so-called zona a traffico limitato. According to consumer lawyers, one should be skeptical if such a fine is not imposed by an agency but by a private collection agency. In addition, such traffic violations in Italy are time-barred after 360 days. If you receive a reminder letter, you should definitely get legal advice before paying anything.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
