Scammed £130 by private security parking

bargaindoctor

Wish we read MSE before heading out a few days ago to Lewes.

We went into Laura Ashley thinking parking was there for people who go in shopping. It was right to Waitrose.

Came out shortly to find wheel clamped. Had to call a rip off 07000 number of some kind to get clamper to come out.

Signs were above eye level and while there were a few, there was nothing on the parking spots themselves, looked like regular spots.

The security firm is registered under SIA (but the scammers, and looks like I wasn't the first: http://www.lewes.co.uk/ForumThread.asp?ID=26749)

I was unaware under constitutional law it is illegal for them to demand money before a court conviction (bill of rights 1689). And was convinced that i had to pay the £125 fine (+£5 for CC) before they release the clamp... so I paid it

(in hindsight - what would they do if I insisted I had no cash / card on me? Tow car to be crushed?)

Yes I saw the signs after they were pointed out, but felt the way they were placed above eye level was VERY misleading. Plus the pouring rain did not help.

Nevertheless I've now paid up, and I suppose there isn't much to do. Didn't write anything about protesting on the payment and all that.

Was asked to write an appeal but I'm told that's a complete waste of time. Wondering anything I could do or just put it down as an expensive lesson?

Someone needs to do something about these private rip off 'security' w@nkers!

oldone_2

Ask your credit company to reverse the transaction. They may resist at first, but say you paid under duress and cite any other cases, press coverage you can find.

custardy

dont understand why this loophole hasnt been closed
or at least ammended so they need mahoosive signs of any charges

peter_the_piper

The government has just finished a consultation on just this. Not surprisingly they have slanted all the questions toward the clamping firms. just the same as asking a turkey to vote whether to cancel christmas.
Don't forget to get straight onto your card issuer and demand a chargeback. They will delay and deny, including saying you gave pin number, but if you are persistant enough they should eventually give in. Play heavy on the implied threats from the clampers, you know---additional charges, towing, crushing etc.

Pssst

Just dont pay them..simple. Most of them are petty criminals. Cut the clapm off and leave it on site.

peter_the_piper

Pssst wrote: »

Just dont pay them..simple. Most of them are petty criminals. Cut the clapm off and leave it on site.

Too late for the OP, useful for the future,but now needs help to get his/her money back.