Entrapment

Normally when money is owed for something you can expect to receive a reminder in the post with the bottom third being a giro payment slip detachable by means of perforations.

Until recently Greek car insurance documents had a tear-off bit with extra-special sticky-backed plastic that you were supposed to post in the front windscreen of your car. This also acted as a handy reminder of when your insurance was due for renewal.

This year, no visual clues, nothing in the post, silence.

The Greek Tax Office has transformed in recent years. It used to have offices everywhere staffed by corrupt, bribable officials. Not any more. I suspect that now it is simply banks and banks of computers.

In Greece your Tax number is your identification number. It appears on your phone bill, your driving licence, your professional rubber stamp. The Tax Office knows which SIM cards are registered to you, which vehicles you own and who does your tax returns.

On Thursday the Greek Government was in bailout talks with Eurozone finance ministers.
On Friday the Government decided to fine everyone who had forgotten to insure their car to the tune of 250€
On Saturday the Tax Office sent out email fines to the accountants of the guilty parties
On Sunday this new state of affairs was announced publically on TV news
On Monday accountants began the massive task of notifying their clients that they must pay their fines and they cannot re-insure their vehicles without showing a receipt for a paid fine.

In July Greece is due to repay some of the money previously lent to it.
Eurozone finance ministers have agreed to lend us the money to pay them back.