Fixed penalty notice, but it's not me or my car !

Keyline

I've just received in the post today a letter stating that I've not paid a fine (from back in November). It's for my address but for a person I've never heard of and for a vehicle registration I've never owned. I've lived at my address for many years so not a previous occupier.

The actual letter said "Notice of registration of fixed penalty and collection order. The court has made a collection order to collect the sum due".

The letter (from the courts) threatens possible bailiffs as well as bad credit records. This is the first letter I've received on the matter.

My wife has rang up the courts saying it's nothing to do with us and they say they will investigate but until they find the person responsible our address stays on record. They also tell us to return the letter.

I am somewhat concerned about this. What if they never find this person (probably likely). Given that these organisations often don't correct records I can foresee a knock at the door in the future and/or a bad credit record for this address.

Do they have the right to keep my address on file when it is not correct indefinitely until they can locate the correct person.

Also wondering how our address is on their records. I'm guessing it's for a parking fine and the DVLA have incorrect details (obviously given incorrectly).

I will be photo copying the letter and probably hand returning to the courts along with a statement that it is nothing to do with us. I will try to pursue their computer records too.

Any advice appreciated. What are my rights, should they not remove my address unless they can prove the person lives there ?

Mupette

was the letter addressed to you?

Keyline

No, addressed to a person I do not know but using my address. But the Bailiffs will come to my address Rather my address is not on this record. Doesn't seem right that they said it cannot be removed.

peter_the_piper

You have a PM. I suggest that you contact the dvla about this as there will be others following I'm sorry to say.
There should be others, far more expert than I who will come along later to help but at least this is a start.

Keyline

Thanks very much for your help and the information in the PM.

ckerrd

Was there a particular reason you opened the letter as opposed to putting "not known - return to sender" on it and sticking it back in a post box?

Keyline

I wasn't there when it was opened but my Wife opens all letters in our house regardless of whether for myself or her and didn't look at the addressee until she looked and the letter and released it was all wrong. In a way I'm glad as I don't trust these places to get things right and deal with them efficiently without prodding.

sarahg1969

ckerrd wrote: »

Was there a particular reason you opened the letter as opposed to putting "not known - return to sender" on it and sticking it back in a post box?

It's perfectly reasonable that the OP would want to know what the contents of the envelope were. What's wrong with that? In this instance, it's a good thing he did.

ckerrd

sarahg1969 wrote: »

It's perfectly reasonable that the OP would want to know what the contents of the envelope were. What's wrong with that? In this instance, it's a good thing he did.

I wasn't suggesting for a minute that here was anything wrong with it - just asking why a letter addressed to someone else had been opened that was all. And now I know why.

I personally get lots of mail for people who have never lived here and it all goes back in the post box.

Keyline

Wow, in all the nearly 20 or so years I've lived here I think I may have had 2.... well now three letters delivered for people who have never lived here. So 1 letter per 6.6 years on average !

So much mail for people who have never lived there sounds unusual, or am I just lucky Anyway drifting off a little, sorry. I have posted to another forum ( as recommended by a user here) but if anyone has any other advice that'd be good, I'll also try to remember to post back anything of use here if I get anywhere

Coblcris

Go to your local Court and get the decision put aside.
Take all the paperwork and proof of your identity and the court will help you through the process. Was this for a council PCN ?

There is something strange in that this is the first you have heard so you may wish to run a few checks in case someone has been using your address for the wrong reasons.
It may just have been caused by a DVLA error but the reason for the missing documents need to be identified.
Act promptly.