When you think of travelling, one thing that comes to mind is the number of tolls you will encounter during the journey. Every vehicle using a highway must cross these tolls and pay a fee for each. Previously, crossing tolls was a hassle, as people had to wait in a long queue to pay tolls. However, with the introduction of FASTag, everything changed.
FASTags allow individuals to make automatic toll payments by letting the toll plazas scan their FASTag’s QR code. However, users need to be vigilant as their FASTags may get blacklisted, forcing them to pay double the toll amount in cash. This article will help you understand the reasons for FASTag blacklisting and the process to check if your FASTag has been blacklisted.
What does a FASTag blacklisting mean
A blacklisted FASTag means that it has been blocked or suspended by the issuing institution, such as a bank or NBFC. There can be many reasons for a FASTag being blacklisted, such as insufficient balance or legal violations. Once a FASTag is blacklisted, it can no longer be used to deduct toll payments automatically. Furthermore, as one vehicle can only use one FASTag, a blacklisted FASTag will force the user to make toll payments in cash. Currently, making toll payments in cash comes with a 100% penalty, where you must make double toll payments.
How to check if your FASTag is blacklisted
Here are the steps to check if your FASTag has been blacklisted:
Log in to your FASTag account
The first step is to log in to your FASTag account. You can use the issuing institution’s website or mobile app to access your FASTag account. For logging in, you will need your login credentials, such as username or password.
Check the FASTag status
Once you have logged in to your FASTag account, navigate to its current status and check if it is blacklisted. If it is blacklisted, you will see its status tagged as ‘Blacklisted’, ‘Inactive’ or ‘Suspended’. This means that you can no longer use your FASTag for toll payments until it is unblacklisted.
Check SMS and Email notifications
FASTag issuing institutions generally notify their FASTag customers of FASTag blacklisting through SMS and Email. If you think your FASTag may have been blacklisted, you can check your SMS or Email to know if your FASTag has been blacklisted. There will be an SMS or Email detailing the reason for blacklisting.
Contact customer care
If you can not find the status of your FASTag account because of a lost username or password or if you have not received any SMS or Email, the best way is to contact customer care. You can find the customer care number of the issuing institution from their website or mobile app. You can call or mail them asking about the current status of your FASTag. If it is blacklisted, ask the customer care executive about the blacklisting reason and about the process of unblacklisting your FASTag.
How to avoid future blacklisting of your FASTag
Here are some pointers to avoid future blacklisting of your FASTag:
- Sufficient balance: One of the most common reasons for FASTag blacklisting is insufficient balance. Regularly check your FASTag account balance and recharge it using a third-party online marketplace or platform if the balance is insufficient.
- Regular monitoring: The issuing institution can blacklist your FASTag if it shows suspicious activities or transactions. Ensure that you regularly monitor the activities and transactions in your FASTag to avoid it being blacklisted.
- Updated information: The issuing institution may blacklist your FASTag if your personal and vehicle information is outdated. Check if your vehicle registration number is correct on your FASTag and if you have up-to-date KYC information in your FASTag account.
Conclusion
FASTag provides seamless toll payments without having to wait in long queues. Since it has been made mandatory, it is important to have an active FASTag. If you feel that your FASTag may have been blacklisted, you can log in to your FASTag account to check its current status. Furthermore, you look for an SMS or an Email regarding your FASTag blacklisting. In case of any queries, you can always contact customer care for quick resolution.
