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Just had phone call from Graham White Solicitors!

Just had an rather unpleasant phone call from Graham White Solicitors, demanding that I pay my 'outstanding parking fine'.

Months ago when I first received the PCN from Excel parking I wrote to them say that I was not going to pay the 'fine' and gave my reasons.

They, of course rejected what they called my 'appeal' and wrote to say that they would not respond to any further communication from me. It was only then I discovered the huge amount of information on this forum and others, and dutifully followed the advice to ignore all the various letters that have arrived at regular intervals.

I've had the threat of intended legal action and, recently a further threat of legal action, and now I've had the phone call from a rather unpleasant man from Graham White Solicitors essentially saying 'see you in court'.

Any idea what happens now...and any advice on what I should do now?
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Comments

  • robpw2
    robpw2 Posts: 14,044 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    you ignore them again


    Slimming world start 28/01/2012 starting weight 21st 2.5lb current weight 17st 9-total loss 3st 7.5lb
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  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 140,423 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 5 August 2010 at 4:37PM
    You didn't get a call from Graham White - you got a call from Roxburghe Debt Collectors passing themselves off as Graham White. See this pepipoo forums thread for an insight into how Roxburghe work and pretend to be Graham White Solicitors (GW):

    http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=52809

    There's some fun to be had here - of course you don't panic or pay up because they don't do Court (they just do threats).

    If they ring again you could:

    - say 'hmmmm...so you say you're Graham White Solicitors? But in fact you are really a Roxburghe staff member in the guise of 'GW' today aren't you? You think you can pass yourselves off as solicitors and that might make me pay a non-existent debt? Good luck with that!' and put the phone down or listen to them splutter!

    - or say 'I'll just go and get him' and then just leave the phone hanging for an hour.

    - or do the above but leave the phone hanging in earshot of loud, annoying musak.

    - or put the phone down.

    - or say 'three words - 'Money Saving expert' and then put the phone down.

    - or say 'one word - 'Watchdog' then put the phone down (watch this Watchdog link first):

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAIcdi9niHA

    Once you understand, as we all do, that private parking tickets are an unenforceable scam, you can deal with those phone calls in whatever way takes your fancy really.

    You don't have to talk to a debt collector, in fact if it's tiresome you can certainly report them for harassment (which is a criminal offence - most PPC debt collectors certainly do 'harass'). Link:

    http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=03_harassment

    Don't forget the fact this is not a debt, you owe nothing and will NOT be taken to Court. Most of us have ignored at least one PPC ticket, me included. Nothing happens, no CCJ, no Court, no effect on your credit rating. They give up!
    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
    CLICK at the top or bottom of this/any page where it says:
    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD
  • These forums and the information posted are invaluable.
    So far, I've followed the advice of ignoring the letters which were correctly predicted to arrive. This morning I've received the Graham White letter - notice of intended legal action - and will be sticking it on the pile of the other ignored letters :) So, although my situation has not yet been resolved (I've 14 days to wait), I would like to say THANK YOU to everybody who has posted advice.
  • sarahg1969
    sarahg1969 Posts: 6,694 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I am so jealous, OP!
  • shortchanged_2
    shortchanged_2 Posts: 5,546 Forumite
    If they ever phone you again just give them really random answers.

    Or even better respond to every question they ask you with "who is this?"

    They'll soon get bored. And remember, they are paying for the call not you. ;)
  • robredz
    robredz Posts: 1,602 Forumite
    GW: is that Mr XXXX

    No this is Mr S.P.A.M. Filtre and this call is being recorded as evidence in your forthcoming court case for the criminal offence of harrasment.

    Result: click then silence will be the likely outcome, as they hang up.
  • Marina_Baker
    Marina_Baker Posts: 7 Forumite
    edited 13 November 2010 at 10:05AM
    These forums and the information posted are invaluable.
    So far, I've followed the advice of ignoring the letters which were correctly predicted to arrive. This morning I've received the Graham White letter - notice of intended legal action - and will be sticking it on the pile of the other ignored letters :) So, although my situation has not yet been resolved (I've 14 days to wait), I would like to say THANK YOU to everybody who has posted advice.

    12 Nov 2010 I would like to add this site has been invaluable. And a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed also. I too have now received my Notice of Intended Legal Action from Graham White Solicitors in the sum of £207.25 including huge Solicitors costs and warrant issuing fees resulting from an unpaid illegal parking ticket issued in March this year. I am just wondering how many more threatening letters and course of actions I can expect from them. Many thanks to all. Kind Regards
    Marina
  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 140,423 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    12 Nov 2010 I would like to add this site has been invaluable. And a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed also. I too have now received my Notice of Intended Legal Action from Graham White Solicitors in the sum of £207.25 including huge Solicitors costs and warrant issuing fees resulting from an unpaid illegal parking ticket issued in March this year. I am just wondering how many more threatening letters and course of actions I can expect from them. Many thanks to all. Kind Regards
    Marina


    Here's a link to all posts on this board which you may not have realised is full of threads like this about PPC fake tickets & threatograms. All posters on here are ignoring this scam:

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=163

    Look closely at the info in the first post in the sticky thread (2nd from top as I see it now) 'PPC letters & scams, what to expect'. You'll see pics of the letter-chain, that should help!
    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
    CLICK at the top or bottom of this/any page where it says:
    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD
  • spike7451
    spike7451 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    If they ever phone you again just give them really random answers.

    Or even better respond to every question they ask you with "who is this?"

    They'll soon get bored. And remember, they are paying for the call not you. ;)

    Like answer the question with a random answer for the last question the ask...
  • Kite2010
    Kite2010 Posts: 4,304 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Home Insurance Hacker! Car Insurance Carver!
    If they phone up, just say "I will just go and get him/her" and put the phone down and continue what you were doing pre phone-call.

    Or if you have a nearby radio, place phone next to radio :p
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