A woman from Burgas paid five times the same fine imposed on her by the “Traffic Police” for speeding.
Nikoleta Koleva received in December last year two acts of BGN 200 within just two weeks. To take advantage of the penalty reduction, she pays one immediately and the other in March. Translating the amount for the second violation, he sees that the first, which was paid by bank transfer, is again listed as unpaid.
So he pays it again by filing a claim for reimbursement. He did not receive an answer, but instead he received a notice that it would be given to a private bailiff due to unpaid debts. He pays them once more. The first fine for the third time, the second for the second.
„The two fines arrived within two weeks in December last year. I paid one in January, and I “forgot” about the other. At the end of the reporting year, that is in March, I became liable for both fines, which I had to pay again due to the deadlines. I paid them again through an app. And in July, I remembered the overpaid amount and decided to submit a request to the traffic police for a refund. And nobody knew what to do there. This is what he told in “Hello, Bulgaria” victim Nikoleta Koleva.
She emphasized that she requested a meeting with the director of the traffic police, but such a meeting was not held. “I came to the traffic police a week after the problem was discovered. But it turned out that the chief was working until noon and I couldn't find him, she explained.
According to her, later the same two fines appeared again as a liability in the NRA. “I hesitated and said I would not pay them. But after a “friendly” a letter from the NRA stating that I will be given to the PSI – had to pay the same fines again – one for a third and the other – for the second time”, emphasized the woman.
She contacted lawyers in Burgas, who only advised her to file a complaint. “I asked for a meeting with the head of the NRA – on this and one other question. They asked me to collect the documents I have and then call again. I called at least 10 times, but no one picked up the phone”, she explained.
The Traffic Police came out with a position in which they indicated that Nicoleta Koleva's application was considered a week after she filed her complaint. An opinion was taken that the overpayment should be refunded to her. The paper opinion was sent by “Bulgarian Post” with addressed receipt. However, the letter did not arrive at Nicoleta's address and was returned to the traffic police as “unclaimed”.
The Traffic Police also explained that the second payment was necessary because Nicoleta missed the 14-day period in which she could have paid the penalty with a discount. Therefore, he had to pay the amount again. However, there is a problem with the electronic database system for linking the "Traffic Police" and the NRA, and probably that is why repaid debts come out as unpaid.
Nikoleta, however, is adamant that she will seek her rights in court.