Victim of Parking Scam Artists

Sacre_Bleu

Despite the wealth of information on both this site and others, I am sick with worry about a penalty notice received through the post recently. A couple of months back I parked quite innocently at the end of an unused cul de sac for literally no more than a minute. On returning to my car, I noticed a shifty character making a swift exit, camera in hand. It was only then that I spotted the sign warning of a £90 penalty! A full month later, I received a penalty notice, kindly informing me that I need only pay £70 if making payment within the next fortnight. As the section of road in question (no more than 10 yards in length!) was clearly unused, this is nothing other than a cynical means of extracting money from unsuspecting motorists.
Having already taken on board advice gleaned from various sites, I ignored the notice. However, a further month on, I have received a letter from a debt collection agency calling themselves Roxburghe to whom I assume the 'debt' has been 'sold' now demanding £195. This letter has me seriously worried given the clear threat of court action. Whilst I am prepared to tough it out, I fear for my elderly in-laws, with whom we live, should this firm start to make threatening calls to the house.
Not only this but I would be grateful for some advice concerning the legitimacy of the charge given that a penalty notice was neither handed to me personally nor left on my vehicle. Does this not render any claim invalid by reference to current legislation?
I would be grateful if someone could let me know what I can anticipate, particularly if I simply continue to ignore the demands.
Suffice to say, I feel anger and trepidation in equal measure and would value some reassurance. In the meantime, I am dumbfounded that this wicked scam seems to go unregulated and unpunished.
Many thanks.

HO87

If the paperwork you have is from a council or the police then that is a different matter but the fact that it involves our friends at Roxburghe's suggests that it is a private ticket. The advice - to ignore - stands whether Roxburghe's have bought the debt or not. Roxburghe's, by the way have been told that the OFT is "minded to revoke" their debt collection licence. There is plenty of more detail concerning them and how to deal with private tickets here - just keep reading.

Coblcris

As per the above.


Was this on a public road ?

Coupon-mad

Firstly, you are not a victim unless you are stupid enough to pay this scam charge, and from your post I am sure you are not stupid. So get out of the 'scared' mindset and more into the 'wicked scam' thoughts about THEM. It is shocking that this is allowed, we all agree with you but they are EASY to ignore.

Forget thinking about 'legislation' and whether the 'ticket' was handed to you or not! This is NOT a real PCN so there is no legislation about the fake ticket - it is a scam, a money-making exercise.

All you have to do is ignore some letters and we can show you those exact letters. No-one can just call round! Debt collectors are not bailiffs and there's no actual 'debt' to collect so they are just wasting their postage. Nothing else will happen, I have had one of these fake PCNs and so have most regulars on this forum, that's why we come here to make sure no-one gets taken in and pays one.

You need to read the sticky threads at the top, watch the Watchdog clip on the thread 'welcome, please read before posting' and check out the letter-chain you will receive in 'PPC letters, what to expect':

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

After reading the stickies come back if anything doesn't make sense or if you need a bit of moral support. No-one can come knocking on your door, there will be no effect on your credit rating - absolutely nothing. In fact, Roxburghe aka Graham White (the next letter-heading) are facing having their consumer credit licence possibly revoked by the OfT for their alleged sharp practice.

Just play snap with each matching template letter as it arrives. That's it. It's not a scary scam, it's very tame indeed and some of us collect these fake tickets deliberately just to cost the scammers more wasted money. Check out the Watchdog link and the letter-chains right now to learn more.

esmerobbo

Do as advised above. Roxburghe really are low life trying to collect on unsubstantiated debts. They are renowned for the utter crap they spout, however they are also renowned for their lack of bite.

Sacre_Bleu

Thanks for the advice Coupon-mad. Sadly, I'm a born worrier. I think I need to grow a pair! Joking apart, you and the other respondents thus far have gone a long way to setting my mind at rest.
I will take the advice and simply ride it out.
Incidentally Coblcris, in answer to your question, the section of road in question looked for all the world like a continuation of a public road. It was certainly not a car park in the sense any sane person might describe one. It seems to reinforce the view that the PPC concerned are nothing but chancers.

Sirdan

Be prepared for more letters full of threats ..nothing that is threatened will actually happen.

If Roxburke are involved you will get letters from "Graham White Solicitors" ...that's the man at the next desk in Roxburghe (proven fact ).

They will threaten all of the following @:-

CCJ if you don't pay -a LIE ..they have to take you to court and win and then you don't pay for this to happen.

Baliffs will call -a LIE ..same as above applies

Your credit rating will be affected -a LIE ..same as above .


Eventually you will get the final final warning letter fron Graham White which usually says someting along the lines of " be assured this matter will not go away without resolution or solution" ..utter bilge it will go away if you just ignore these lieing scum.

I have ignored 3 of these ..final final warning from Graham White was in Jan..nothing since :-)

Whatdoiknow

Having had dealings with Roxburghe directly I can confirm they are a useless bunch of t*ssers (pardon my French) and should be completely ignored.

AlexisV

They're about to have their credit licence revoked. They should be no more in a few months.

thetriggerhappypwner

Sacre Bleu,

I have had dealings with similar "debt collection" scum bags who prey on the innocent and vulnerable (I don't think you are, please don't misunderstand my post).

I suggest as per the advice above, that you should ignore them, Private Parking companies have no powers to fine or issue a penalty to anyone, only the Police and Councils have that power, PPC's do not. Ignore them, and they will eventually stop, as they did with me, I filed my threatograms in the wheelie bin and they took the short journey from here to the incinerator!

Anyone feel free to correct me if I am incorrect about anything here.

Sacre_Bleu

Many thanks to all those who have supplied useful information.
Whilst I'm more than happy to use the threatening letters as toilet paper, I still have concerns should the clowns at Roxburghe start to make calls to my home address (OP refers). Has anyone had direct experience of this and, if so, any advice on how best to counter it?
Thanks again.