Key Takeaways
Essential facts.
The Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB) is the Dutch government body responsible for collecting fines and penalties. It operates an official live chat on its website during weekdays, with no published response time but a reputation for fast assistance. The agency has no mobile app, and all payments should be made exclusively through the verified CJIB website or via QR codes on official letters. Citizens are warned never to respond to fine requests by text or social media.
Story & Details
The official gateway
A verified user interaction began on the CJIB’s English-language portal. The chat greeted the visitor with: “We will help you as soon as possible.” To confirm identity, the person entered a name and date of birth (03-03-1980). The platform was legitimate — part of the Dutch Ministry of Justice’s infrastructure — offering payment guidance, verification of fines, and instructions in English for international residents.
How the chat service operates
CJIB’s chat and call services are open Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 16:30. Although the agency publishes no average waiting time, its 2023 data show more than 52,000 chat sessions with users describing service as quick and friendly. If there is no immediate reply, closing and reopening the chat or phoning during the same hours usually brings faster results.
Payment methods and security
All payments are made through CJIB’s own pages. Fines must typically be paid within eight weeks of notification. Each letter includes a 16-digit CJIB reference number and, in many cases, a QR code that links directly to the secure payment portal. The process uses iDEAL, a Dutch online-banking system connected to all major banks. Users can also log in with DigiD, the national digital identity system, to view what they owe.
Myths about a CJIB app
No official CJIB mobile application exists. Searches in the Dutch government’s app directory, the Rijksappstore, confirm that the agency appears only as part of general justice-related listings, not as a downloadable app. Any app claiming to manage or pay CJIB fines should be considered fraudulent.
Fraud prevention and safe practice
CJIB communicates strictly through official letters, verified web pages, and its chat. It never sends WhatsApp, SMS, or social-media payment links. The safest approach is simple: always verify the website address before submitting information, keep your fine reference ready, and never trust external messages asking for money.
Conclusions
Staying on the right track.
Understanding how the CJIB works makes dealing with fines less stressful. The absence of a mobile app is intentional — it centralizes payments in one secure space. Contact the agency only through its website or phone line during working hours. Reliable systems, verified links, and patience with the chat queue ensure that what begins as a bureaucratic task ends in calm efficiency.
Sources
- CJIB — “I’d like to pay my fine.” https://www.cjib.nl/en/id-pay-my-fine
- CJIB — Contact (English). https://www.cjib.nl/en/contact
- CJIB — Contact (Dutch). https://www.cjib.nl/contact
- CJIB — “Chatting with CJIB… fast and friendly help” (2023 overview). https://www.cjib.nl/chatten-met-het-cjib-ik-werd-snel-vriendelijk-en-goed-geholpen
- CJIB — News: traffic-fine QR code for payment. https://www.cjib.nl/nieuws/verkeersboete-betalen-qr-code
- CJIB — “More information.” https://www.cjib.nl/en/more-information
- Rijksappstore — Dutch government app directory. https://rijksappstore.nl/
- YouTube — Ministry of Justice and Security (Netherlands): “How we collect fines responsibly.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCGm5B29DCk
Appendix
CJIB
The Central Judicial Collection Agency of the Netherlands. It manages fines, penalties, and related enforcement on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
DigiD
The official digital identity used to log in to Dutch public-service websites, including CJIB’s online payment portal.
iDEAL
A secure online-banking payment system used in the Netherlands, allowing citizens to transfer funds directly from their bank accounts for official payments.
Live chat
An online support channel available on CJIB’s website from Monday to Friday, providing real-time assistance for payment and procedural questions.
Payment deadline
The maximum period — usually eight weeks — within which a fine must be paid before extra costs or enforcement begin.
QR code
A scannable image printed on many CJIB letters, linking directly to the secure payment page to minimize typing errors and fraudulent redirects.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 