I got a letter in the mail demanding that I pay an infringement from the 27th of July, 2005. It said the due date was the 17th of November, 2005. It's now January 25th, 2006.

And I'd already paid it!

I checked my online banking records and couldn't find it. Doubt sets in... maybe I didn't pay it? It was around the time I sold the car, so maybe that messed things up. Then I see the entry! You buggers!

So I get on the phone, but before I chew any heads I think "maybe this letter's been sitting on my desk for two months?" I told her the day I'd apid, she confirmed they had it in the system and that there was an error somewhere. No hard feelings.

So I check with Mags - she got the letter out of the mail box today. I can't find the envelope to confirm the date it was processed, and Maggie's word is good enough for me.

So City of Perth, screw you. I just feel sorry for the peeps that don't remember making the payment, or are not smart enough to fight it, or just assume that the "system" doesn't make mistakes. Damn the system.