Disputing a Lidl Parking Ticket - SURPRISE OUTCOME

Murtle

Mojisola wrote: »

I know in your case the two photos were the same but I heard on a radio programme another scam - a couple went into the supermarket (can't remember which one) in the morning, did their shopping, realised later on they had forgotten something and went back for it.

They got sent photos of them entering the car park in the morning and leaving in the evening. They had been parked elsewhere during the day in another car park with cameras so there was no doubt that they had been there all day.

This happened to my OH in a Tesco's carpar when he was driving my car about 5 years ago now. He went into Tesco to buy breakfast on his way to work and then popped back at lunch time to buy lunch. I phoned to complain and they said that the camera registered first entry and last entry and ignored the ones inbetween :eek: even though he'd been at work all day.

We didn't pay anything and have avoided Tesco's ever since.

Lewis1979 wrote: »

I did read all the other posts, just as this is the first one I have received, wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. Thats why I thought I would write on a friendly forum such as this. Sorry if my double checking of the correct procedures has upset anybody:beer:

Don't worry - double checking is good but you'd be surprised how many people don't believe the "just ignore it" advice.

Just ignore it (and the other letters you may get chasing it and enjoy your Christmas)

I was very unsure when I got one of these letters once, and a lovely person on Pepipoo offered to pay my ticket if the advice was wrong. Of course it wasn't and I didn't pay (and nor did they) and I never heard back from the parking people, but it can be quite daunting when faced with a possible bill you can't afford!

Coupon-mad

Lewis1979 wrote: »

I did read all the other posts, just as this is the first one I have received, wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. Thats why I thought I would write on a friendly forum such as this. Sorry if my double checking of the correct procedures has upset anybody:beer:

Sorry - we are a very friendly forum but very often replies have an element of frustration as it seems people have not read all the info we have been at pains to provide for newbies to help you avoid this scam.

You said you had read all the 'posts' but had anything changed since May. We would think, what do you mean, May?

The response was, but have you read the current threads? Because they do not stop in May. This little thread of posts is one of thousands:

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

Have you seen the stickies at the top? 'Welcome please read before posting' includes a must-see Watchdog clip and 'PPC letters, what to expect' helps you se where you are with the letter-chain.

Have a Happy Christmas knowing that you saved some money. Athena never do Court so you are near the end of their attempts to persuade you to pay now.

Lewis1979

Just received my 3rd letter from Athena for parking in Lidl, now threatening unless I pay within 7 days it will be passed to Debt collection Company.

Sitting tight here, shall I continue to ignore this???? Is it just a scare tactic

Trebor16

Lewis1979 wrote: »

Just received my 3rd letter from Athena for parking in Lidl, now threatening unless I pay within 7 days it will be passed to Debt collection Company.

Sitting tight here, shall I continue to ignore this???? Is it just a scare tactic

That's all it is, designed to scare you. Sit tight and carry on ignoring.

Kite2010

Lewis1979 wrote: »

Just received my 3rd letter from Athena for parking in Lidl, now threatening unless I pay within 7 days it will be passed to Debt collection Company.

Sitting tight here, shall I continue to ignore this???? Is it just a scare tactic

It will be passed simply to the man on the next desk down, carry on ignoring.

The letters are full of empty threats

Coupon-mad

Lewis1979 wrote: »

Just received my 3rd letter from Athena for parking in Lidl, now threatening unless I pay within 7 days it will be passed to Debt collection Company.

Sitting tight here, shall I continue to ignore this???? Is it just a scare tactic

The letters are on the stickies we are urging you to read. If you get a letter like those pictures in the top thread on this forum you are getting one that everyone gets. Of course ignore them - you should be laughing and playing snap with each matching letter by now!

Crabman

vax2002 wrote: »

I wonder what would happen if people wrote to DVLA and "removed the implied right" to share their data with 3rd parties, it would not hamper DVLA, but only the goons we see in these scams.

I tried to do this a few years ago and the answer was "Blah blah data protection act blah blah we consider each request carefully blah blah"

DVLA aren't going to voluntarily stop accepting millions in income from cowboys.

SodG24

Lewis1979 wrote: »

Just received my 3rd letter from Athena for parking in Lidl, now threatening unless I pay within 7 days it will be passed to Debt collection Company.

Sitting tight here, shall I continue to ignore this???? Is it just a scare tactic

I don't wish to be rude but why didn't you email Lidl ? I've supplied the email addresses and another poster had confirmed it works ?

Ignore the PPC and email Lidl NOW !

MGolden

Lewis1979 wrote: »

Just received my 3rd letter from Athena for parking in Lidl, now threatening unless I pay within 7 days it will be passed to Debt collection Company.

Sitting tight here, shall I continue to ignore this???? Is it just a scare tactic

Sit tight - the letter doesn't say that if you don't pay it will be passed onto a debt collection company - it says the debt may be passed on. They won't pass it on. And don't worry - I've kept the one they sent me with the picture of my car magically driving itself!!:)

Coupon-mad

Yes they will pass it on to a debt collector (aka pointless pen-pusher). That's what the top thread is all about!