Urssaf fined man 99 times in a day

A small mistake while signing up for social security payments system Urssaf has cost a start-up boss thousands after the agency took a late payment penalty off his bank account – 99 times the same day.

Gautier Avril had started his energy-efficiency business in Rennes, Brittany, but failed to mention he had no employees. When he tried to correct the error he was hit with a penalty of €49 for late declaration but, despite paying it, the payment never appeared on his Urssaf account.

After contacting the agency several times, He was finally told the problem had been resolved and his account was being brought up to date.

However, when he checked his bank details he saw that the €49 fine had been taken 99 times the same day – for a total of just under €5,000.

When he complained, yet again, to Urssaf it recognised his problem but no one could say when the €4,851 would be reimbursed. And, while his unhappy bank manager accepted his explanation he wanted written proof from Urssaf and no one would give it.

Mr Avril told Le Figaro: “I slept very badly.”

However, he discovered on the internet that Urssaf had a mediator – a system being tested in Brittany and Ile-de-France – and he was reimbursed 10 days later.

Mr Avril told the paper: “With the mediator it was simple and quick – but even today the €49 payment is still not credited on my Urssaf account.”

The mediator service is due to be extended across France later this year.