Vehicle Control Services LTD - Angry

jnwilde

Hello all,

I recently received a parking charge notice (according to their letter) for parking my car in the private car park in the flats that i live in. I do have a valid permit but it was not being displayed as frankly i forgot. I understand this is my fault but am hugely annoyed as I feel i pay for the parking in my rent and we are issued permits for free, as a result its easy to forget about them.

Anyway firstly from what i understand private companies cannot issue PCN's is this correct and does anyone know if Vehicle Control Services LTD are able to issue Parking Charge Notices?

Also as i dd have a valid permit, but not dated is it possible argue based on no loss of income and does this tend to be successful.

I made the silly mistake of appealing and thus giving my address etc, what are peoples thoughts, I understand they are on dodgey ground but am in truth a little worried about taking them on.

many thanks to all,

Joe

Sirdan

jnwilde wrote: »

Hello all,

I recently received a parking charge notice (according to their letter) for parking my car in the private car park in the flats that i live in. I do have a valid permit but it was not being displayed as frankly i forgot. I understand this is my fault but am hugely annoyed as I feel i pay for the parking in my rent and we are issued permits for free, as a result its easy to forget about them.

Anyway firstly from what i understand private companies cannot issue PCN's is this correct and does anyone know if Vehicle Control Services LTD are able to issue Parking Charge Notices?

Also as i dd have a valid permit, but not dated is it possible argue based on no loss of income and does this tend to be successful.

I made the silly mistake of appealing and thus giving my address etc, what are peoples thoughts, I understand they are on dodgey ground but am in truth a little worried about taking them on.

many thanks to all,

Joe

Let's be clear a legally enforceable ticket from a Council is called a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

Private companies like to call their invoices Parking Charge Notices (PCN)

Yes a private company can issue you an invoice and call it a Parking Charge Notice.

Although general advice is to ignore these in your case it is worth checking if VCS are licensed to tow / clamp on the car park you refer to.
Some of these firms have been known to clamp / tow vehicles for not paying their invoices ..this is of course unlawful but some still do it anyway.
If there is any risk of clamping or towing you would be advised to contact the owner of the car park who presumably is the person who issued your permit in the first place and seek resolution with them.

However if there is no prospect of clamping / towing then you can ignore VCS as their invoice is toilet paper ..the land owner can only seek damages for a breach of contract ..in a free car park where you already have permisson to park this is £0 ..that is how much you owe VCS £0.00

jnwilde

Thanks,

That does help clear things up considerably, I was concerned that by appealing the notice I may have weakened my position, by your reply I gather not?

Also on the notice I have seen that the city is filled im as what i assume to sheff for sheffield but its illegible even as Sheff, does this serve to further discredit them?

Again Thank you for your help, I think im just going ignore this one

Sirdan

jnwilde wrote: »

Thanks,

That does help clear things up considerably, I was concerned that by appealing the notice I may have weakened my position, by your reply I gather not?

Also on the notice I have seen that the city is filled im as what i assume to sheff for sheffield but its illegible even as Sheff, does this serve to further discredit them?

Again Thank you for your help, I think im just going ignore this one

By indicating that you were indeed the driver all you have done is allow VCS to make a claim against you. Had you not communicated then they would have no one to claim against.
The chances of them actually making a claim are a million to one :-)

They are far from certain of winning because as already stated they can not impose penalties under contract law.
Since they have to pay the court costs up front they would be taking a huge gamble.
Why would they bother when enough people unwittingly pay these ??

If (when hell freezes over) you do receive a County Court Claim then get back on here sharpish for advice on how to defend ..

Coupon-mad

Just read the sticky threads 'PPC letters, what to expect' which is self explanatory, and 'welcome, please read before posting' which has a good Watchdog link:

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

Just ignore the scammers from now on!

jnwilde

Thanks for the link, I had a little look but its always nice to hear someone answer your situation,

I shall update if I get scary letters.

Thanks,

jnwilde

Hello All,

So the letters have arrived, however i cant post them as im a new user, is it possible to do it some other way?


They seem a little suspect and unprofessional to me. Defienilty Parking Charge Notice, Lots of big red boxs, DO NOT IGNORE THIS MESSAGE

FAILURE TO PAY THIS NOTICE MAY RESULT IN COURT PROCEEDINGS BEING TAKEN WHICH LEAD TO A WARRANT BEING ISSUED TO THE BAILIFFS AND ADDITIONAL CHAGES INCURRED

TO AVOID COURT PROCEEDINGS WICH MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR OURT FEES, SOLICITORS COSTS AND ACCURING INTREST PAYEMENT MUST BE MADE TO THE CENTRAL PAYMENTS OFFCIE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE ISSUE DATE OF THIS NOTICE

Language seems a bit wooly..

Any advice on what to do next

Im going with ignore it I think?

Coupon-mad

Is it much different than the letters already used by other companies (like Excel) as shown in the top thread I linked you to in my post #5?

Even though VCS letters are not listed there it's usually because they match another company's letters. Have a look.

Ignore the letters like everyone else does, it's quite fun when you know it's a scam.

jnwilde

Thanks,

I just had a better look through the other letters and be honest most of them look more "real" than mine. I will upload when im allowed to

With Regard to replying to my appeal, yes they did and they say no unsurprisingly. Im sure that was just a plan to get my name & address.

As for the owner of the car par, its infuriating. The car park is a private one for a small block of flats it is gated & underground. The only reason he cites for employing them is to stop people using 2 cars. Its really very frustrating and he says he now has no control.

Thanks guys,

I think still waiting is best. I will update if i get a more exciting letter. I guess the bailiffs are coming round soon

notts_phil

Send them this:

Dear Cretins

Further to your legally unenforceable civil notice, I serve notice that your unsolicited letter has taken valuable space on my doormat.

In order to leave space for other important items of mail I have a policy of no junk mail.

Therefore you as the sender of said unsolicited mail are now liable for the fee of £115 as set by the owner of said doormat. (Me)

I am prepared, as a gesture of goodwill to reduce this fee to the amount of £95 if paid within 7 days.

Please do not ignore this letter, as ignorance of this fee may affect your future ability to gain credit and may result in me instructing a debt collection agency in enforcement of this fee.

Regards,

Blah blah blah.

Ginola14

Hi I am in the same position with a parking fine from VCS
I now have a letter threatening legal action .I have followed advice on here and ignored but now I feel my resolve faltering a bit
Do you still advise me to ignore. Are they likely to issue court proceedings?
Thanks