Road 6 Users Face Skyrocketing Fines Over Payment Issues

A subscriber to Israel's Highway 6, operated by Derech Eretz, discovered accumulated charges of approximately NIS 5,000, including thousands in fines, due to an outdated payment method on his account. The customer, who stumbled upon the issue while checking his online account, claims he was not adequately notified about the escalating debt after his credit card details became invalid. He stated that while he doesn't dispute paying for the actual journeys, he questions the legitimacy of the substantial fines.

According to the customer, he was informed by customer service that his credit card had expired, leading to unpaid tolls. The operator, Derech Eretz, acknowledged that the customer was notified in May about a payment issue and that he subsequently updated his credit card information online. However, the company stated that this update was only for a specific invoice and did not change the primary payment method linked to his subscription.

The customer argued that he was unaware of this distinction and believed updating his card would resolve all payment issues. He contends that Derech Eretz, aware of the ongoing payment failures after his attempted update, should have made a direct phone call to clarify the situation and prevent further charges and fines. He expressed that the accumulation of fines, amounting to about NIS 2,000 on top of NIS 3,000 in tolls, felt like 'grey market' pricing.

Derech Eretz responded by stating they followed all legal procedures and sent over 12 reminders through various channels regarding the debt. The company claimed that, despite the debt not being settled, they offered a significant reduction in fines as a gesture of goodwill, which the customer declined. They maintain their offer and urge the customer to settle his outstanding balance.