Wrong FASTag Deduction? NHAI Cracks Down on Toll Fraud – Here’s How to Get Your Money Back

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken strict action against wrongful FASTag deductions, penalizing toll operators in at least 250 cases. The Indian Highway Management Company Limited (IHMCL), which manages toll payments, has imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh per violation.  

This enforcement has reduced wrongful deductions by nearly 70%. Currently, IHMCL receives around 50 genuine complaints per month, despite nearly 30 crore FASTag transactions occurring at toll plazas on national highways.  

What is a False FASTag Deduction?

False FASTag deductions occur when money is wrongly deducted from a user’s FASTag account. Common reasons include:  

Wrong vehicle detection – The system charges a vehicle that did not pass through the toll.  

Double deduction – A vehicle is charged twice for a single trip.  

Incorrect toll charge – The user is charged a higher amount or for a different route.  

Deduction without crossing toll – Money is deducted even when the vehicle has not passed a toll plaza.  

These errors happen due to system failures, toll operator mistakes, or technical glitches.  

How to Claim a Refund for Wrong Deductions

According to IHMCL, users can report wrongful deductions by:  

– Calling 1033

– Emailing [email protected]

Each complaint is investigated, and if found valid, a chargeback is issued immediately. A fine of ₹1 lakh is also imposed on the responsible toll operator.  

How to Report FASTag Errors

Users should report incorrect deductions as soon as possible to their bank or FASTag provider. Complaints must include:  

• – Transaction ID
• – Date and time of deduction
• – Vehicle number
• – Any supporting documents

Banks provide customer service contacts on their websites.  

Why Do FASTag Errors Happen?

Errors occur due to:

• – Incorrect vehicle entry by toll operators.  
• – Technical glitches in toll booth systems.  
• – Incorrect FASTag placement causing faulty readings.  
• – Multiple FASTags linked to one vehicle leading to duplicate deductions.  

How to Prevent Wrong FASTag Deductions

• – Register the vehicle number correctly.  
• – Regularly check FASTag transactions for errors.  
• – Report unexpected deductions immediately.  
• – If the tag is faulty, request a replacement.  

NHAI’s strict measures and increased awareness among users are helping ensure smoother toll transactions across highways.