Parking Enforcement APCOA (Luton Airport)

CYPER

I just received the usual APCOA Parking Enforcement Notice Letter, which is in the name of my father, who is the registered keeper, while I was the driver on that occasion. The reason is I picked up a friend of mine on the mini roundabout just after the drop off/pick up parking as in here: http://goo.gl/maps/UHN1
He was waiting for me, I stopped next to him and we drove off 10 seconds later - it was that quick.

So I know by reading a number of threads that it is a big scam, but what is the best strategy to avoid any extra letters. I know I can ignore them, but I want to stop them dead in their tracks, so they know it is a lost cause wasting their time with me.
1 - What will happen if I give them the name and address of the driver (made up ones) - Do you think they would start sending their letters to the newly given address and forget about me?
2 - Or maybe I should tell them the name on the letter was not the driver and see what happens next
3 - Or maybe just ask for photographic evidence. Do you think they have one?

What is the best way to make them stop bothering me?

Sir_Roger_deLodger

CYPER wrote: »

I just received the usual APCOA Parking Enforcement Notice Letter, which is in the name of my father, who is the registered keeper, while I was the driver on that occasion. The reason is I picked up a friend of mine on the mini roundabout just after the drop off/pick up parking as in here: http://goo.gl/maps/UHN1
He was waiting for me, I stopped next to him and we drove off 10 seconds later - it was that quick.

So I know by reading a number of threads that it is a big scam, but what is the best strategy to avoid any extra letters. I know I can ignore them, but I want to stop them dead in their tracks, so they know it is a lost cause wasting their time with me.
1 - What will happen if I give them the name and address of the driver (made up ones) - Do you think they would start sending their letters to the newly given address and forget about me?
2 - Or maybe I should tell them the name on the letter was not the driver and see what happens next
3 - Or maybe just ask for photographic evidence. Do you think they have one?

What is the best way to make them stop bothering me?

You will not stop them bothering you, whatever you tell them. These people are not a reasonable legitimate company, they are scam artists. Any contact will just increase the amount of threatograms.
Ignore them totally and they will keep sending letters to the RK until it sinks into their thick heads that they are on a loser.

give_them_FA

They MAY stop bothering you if you return their letters, with some suitable endorsement written on them suggesting that they go forth and multiply, in an envelope without a stamp on it. They will therefore realise you are wise to their scam and decide to not waste any more money on you. Do this with all letters and even they will not be stupid enough to keep sending them.

skidnote

I've just received my second letter from APCOA. Sadly I was not driving at the time of the alleged parking infringement earlier this year. This letter states (exact quote):
"As the registered keeper of this vehicle, you are liable for this ticket, unless full details of a driver should you wish to transfer liability of the driver are provided".
I don't think so:p That's not even proper English!!!

They also state that there is a £1 drop-off zone at Luton Airport. The person driving could not find this. Does anyone here know of its existence???

I've already sent the 'I wasn't driving' template letter from this site. Looks like they just won't take no for an answer:(

LincolnshireYokel

martastik wrote: »

I've just received my second letter from APCOA. Sadly I was not driving at the time of the alleged parking infringement earlier this year. This letter states (exact quote):
"As the registered keeper of this vehicle, you are liable for this ticket, unless full details of a driver should you wish to transfer liability of the driver are provided".
I don't think so:p That's not even proper English!!!

They also state that there is a £1 drop-off zone at Luton Airport. The person driving could not find this. Does anyone here know of its existence???

I've already sent the 'I wasn't driving' template letter from this site. Looks like they just won't take no for an answer:(

No, weve already told you they wont. Playing the game with them simply makes them work on you harder. the ONLY G'TEED method to get rid is to IGNORE everything they send you, and after about 3 -06 months they will get the hint and give up. I knew one lady friend received threatograms for 18 months from one bunch of scammers.

give_them_FA

Well, you have been fair and said you were not the driver. That is the end of your involvement in the matter. If they decide to ignore that advice, that is up to them; but so far as you are concerned the correspondence is at an end.

The reason why they keep on, is because they find that where people appear to accept it's a real ticket by questioning it, they are more likely to eventually pay if the pressure is kept up.

The people that know it is a fake will not even bother to engage in correspondence.

But, although your first move was a mistake (it is HIGH time the forum templates were reviewed) you can now recover by ignoring all further letters.

sylv1_30

Hi guys,

My girlfriend has received a fine from APCOA last time she picked up her brother at Luton airport. She got scared when she received the letter and didn't want to pay more than 40£ so she has already sent a letter of complaint (she had reasons to pick him up like that) and the cheque of 40£ so it doesn't change into a 80£.
After reading some the posts (there are quite a few!:-)) I now realise that was a mistake but my question is can I appeal now if they cash in the cheque (which they probably will) and if so where or which company/legal department can I use.

Thanks,
Sylvain

ManxRed

Once they cash the cheque it will effectively be game over, short of sueing them (which may cost you a few quid and no guarantee you'll win - although you ought to).

The best strategy would be to cancel the cheque, but make sure you write to APCOA and let them know that you have done this.

SodG24

sylv1_30 wrote: »

Hi guys,

My girlfriend has received a fine from APCOA last time she picked up her brother at Luton airport. She got scared when she received the letter and didn't want to pay more than 40£ so she has already sent a letter of complaint (she had reasons to pick him up like that) and the cheque of 40£ so it doesn't change into a 80£.
After reading some the posts (there are quite a few!:-)) I now realise that was a mistake but my question is can I appeal now if they cash in the cheque (which they probably will) and if so where or which company/legal department can I use.

Thanks,
Sylvain

There is no point appealing - all they want is your cash. The only thing you'll hear from them after they've cashed the cheque is that you were late paying and they want more.

Cancel the cheque right now.

Weasel73

Hello,

This is my first post here.

Like so many I wasn't driving my car but the person who was dropped someone off on the airport road at Luton airport.

I as the RK have received a few letters from APCOA. I have now received a letter from Roxburghe debt collectors.

I'm stressed and feeling intimidated by this letter. The letter states:

"Our above named client (APCOA PARKING (UK) LTD sent you a Notice to RK to which they have not received payment, or satisfactory grounds for appeal with the time period allowed. Please note that in the absence of payment or any valid appeal, we are instructed to pursue this matter to a conclusion.

In a further effort to resolve the outstanding PCN that was issued against your vehicle, please find listed below the relevant details:

xxxxxx
xxxxxx

In line with the T&Cs of parking at the above location, the amount due now includes late payment administration fees.

It is in your own best interests to get in touch with us so we can resolve this debt without recourse to further action. If we do not hear from you within 10 days, we will pass the matter to our solicitors, Graham White, who will review your case for potential legal action.

We are fully aware of anecdotal information being presented via the internet and on various websites and you may well feel this guidance is worth following. We strongly urge you to seek independent legal advice rather than rely on these opinions, and we would respectively suggest that you refer to the Civil Procedure Rules part 31*, and more specifically parts 31.16 and 31.17"

I'm left feeling stressed and intimidated by this particular letter. I'm guessing that this is what it is designed to do.

I have read many things on various websites and most, if not all appear to say this is a scam and do not pay.

Please can someone with experience in a similar situation or indeed with a legal background help me to understand if there is any substance to these letters/PCN/debt collectors' letters? If there are grounds to the claims should I pay? What should I do? I have been ignoring the letters so far.

Many thanks in advance.