📌 Background
If you have received a letter or contact from the police, this usually relates to a refuelling that was not or not fully paid for.
This article explains why police contact may occur and how you should proceed.
⚠️ Reasons for police contact
There are two main reasons:
🔒 1) Blocked vehicle owner data (information block)
You have registered an information block with the road traffic office. In certain cantons, owner information may not be disclosed to third parties for data protection reasons.
➡️ This means:
- An invoice or reminder cannot be sent to you directly.
- After the payment deadline has expired, forwarding via the responsible authorities may be necessary for clarification/delivery.
💡 Note:
If an information block exists, please check your mail and any payment requests particularly carefully.
💰 2) Refuelling not paid for or not assignable
The most common reason is that the refuelling was not paid or a payment could not be clearly assigned.
Typical examples:
- Payment was not completed
- wrong pump / incorrect assignment
- only a purchase was paid for, but not the fuel (shop amount lower than fuel amount)
- technical uncertainties in the payment process
➡️ This means:
- The incident was recorded by the petrol station operator.
- After unsuccessful invoicing/reminder, the case was forwarded.
- The police may contact you to clarify the matter.
🕊️ Is a withdrawal possible?
In certain cases, a withdrawal may be possible – provided the procedure has not progressed too far.
📋 Please note:
- A withdrawal is basically only possible before the issuance of a penal order.
- Depending on the stage of the procedure, additional costs may arise.
⚖️ If you have already received a penal order
If a penal order has already been issued, a withdrawal is no longer possible.
In this case, please follow:
- the instructions on legal remedies
- the deadlines of the competent authority (e.g. objection period)
🧭 Overview
| Situation | Meaning | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 🔒 Vehicle owner data blocked | Delivery/clarification not possible directly | Check letters and respond within deadlines |
| 💰 Refuelling open / unclear | Payment missing or assignment not possible | Keep documents/receipts ready (e.g. receipt) |
| 🕊️ Before penal order | Withdrawal possibly possible | Submit a request with all details |
| ⚖️ Penal order received | Withdrawal no longer possible | Check legal remedies according to instructions |
📝 Which information helps with clarification?
If you wish to initiate a clarification, please submit a request and provide:
- Licence plate
- Date and approximate time of the refuelling
- Location/petrol station (if known)
- if available: receipt/transaction proof (card payment, slip)
- if available: file number/reference from the police letter
✅ Summary
Police contact may be related to blocked vehicle owner data or an open or unassignable refuelling. Depending on the stage of the procedure, a withdrawal may be possible – before the issuance of a penal order. If a penal order has already been issued, the legal remedy instructions of the competent authority apply.