Private Parking Company - paid by car hire firm

The_Edge

Hi,
I rented a car back in June and I have been trying since then to get an answer out of Hertz as to why a mysterious 92.00 GBP extra charge had appeared on my statement.

Then have finally responded and said that it was a parking charge of 50 GBP plus 42 GBP for their admin fee!!

They have said if I have a problem with the ticket I should contact the 'authority' that issued it!! Obviously it wasn't an authority, just the CP Plus cowboys.

Hertz have refunded their 42 GBP as a 'goodwill gesture'. But surely even though I am liable for fines this cannot include things like this e.g worthless invoices?!?

Urgent advice please!!

vax2002

Just write a notice before action.
Always cancel the direct debit once your business with a hire car company has concluded.
Theses PPC have a list of registrations of hire cars and if they spot one on the road, they know there is a good chance of some easy money.
Your Money

The_Edge

Thanks, are there any examples of notice of action anywhere for such circumstances? And I am writing to Hertz direct? Re DD, once all payments have been made should I just contact my Bank & say don't pay anything else?

Cheers!

vax2002

Yes these PPC scammers often come back for more money in late payment charges, so I would inform your bank that the £50 is an unauthorised payment and also ask them to block the hire company from taking anything else
AND HERTZ Hire cars what a way to treat your customers and put of your prospective future customers by allowing scammers to have your private data.

Coupon-mad

The_Edge wrote: »

Thanks, are there any examples of notice of action anywhere for such circumstances? And I am writing to Hertz direct? Re DD, once all payments have been made should I just contact my Bank & say don't pay anything else?

Cheers!

Here's what I posted in answer to someone with the same query on here 2 days ago (look on page 2 of this sub-forum and you will see at least 2 threads about PPCs and hire cars). Anyway, try this, write snail mail to Hertz Head Office listed under 'contact us' on their website/paperwork. Here's what I said on another thread and there are great letters to follow on the pepipoo link; that poster got their money back so copy their lead:


'For a start, it's important that you understand that you do NOT have a fine nor a parking ticket there. It's important because you are going to have to clearly explain this to Hertz.

Secondly, you must check the EXACT wording of the hire t&cs, I have not seen one in a long time that does actually allow them to take an admin fee for handling a breach of contract begging letter. Most hire t&cs talk about 'fines & penalties' which this is NOT. They have no liability for this matter and it's actually none of their business, they should have binned the letter.

Can you show us the exact wording of those t&cs about 'fines'?

In the meantime I would contact your bank or card issuer and get that whole outstanding payment put into dispute, I think you may have 90 days to do this so act urgently. Tell them that the hire company had no right to take it and you are already disputing it. Make it clear that your previous authorisation for that company to make debits is now revoked as the business is completed (if it is, I take it you've paid them all you owed for the hire?).

That done, you must complain and tell the hire company that this 'charge' is nothing to do with them and is in fact a scam. You'll have to explain why as they may have assumed 'if it looks like a PCN, it must be a PCN'. Do not beat about the bush and make sure you reply in writing and keep a copy of your correspondence. This is a fake PCN which is a spurious amount which is very probably NOT covered by their t&cs and for which they have zero liability in law, therefore it was never their business to charge an admin fee for receiving it - let alone think anyone needs to pay it! Tell them it is their own fault if they fell for a scam but you will NOT pay them the money for that mistake!

This pepipoo thread is the one for you to read:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=62531

Copy the letters the poster used, just change anything not relevant and quote their own hire t&cs at the hire firm, just like that poster, user1EOUf, did.

Do not take their excuses for an answer, this is ONLY a private allegation against a driver (you). Do not let the hire co tell you what they 'think' their hire t&cs cover (any reference to fines, penalties, offences, authorities and Traffic Law can ONLY relate to proper PCNs from Local Authorities or the Police).

To convince the hire company, I would also send them this Fleet News link (or print it out if writing snail mail) and maybe conclude by saying you are somewhat surprised that a very large company such as Hertz would fall for this well-known scam and you are sure they will realise their error now and you expect a refund of the rest of the money they debited or you will escalate the dispute with them and with your bank/card company:

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2009...s-urged/30698/

Please show us the wording of the hire t&cs and do let us know what happens with the hire company in due course'.

Kite2010

Nice of Hertz to assume you are guilty without giving you the right of appeal (even if there is no appeal with PPCS)

The_Edge

Thanks for the replies. For the T & Cs this is what I have found on their website - I will try to dig out the paperwork they gave me and post that tomorrow:

If Hertz UK is required to pay and/or process such road tolls, fines, charges or associated costs, you agree by signing the rental agreement that we may charge you with the amount we are required to pay plus a reasonable administration charge for dealing with these matters.

The_Edge

I have also contacted my Card Company and disputed the charges. Not sure how relevant it is but the payments were actually made on a Debit Card.

esmerobbo

The words in the T&C's most relavant are "Required to pay" there is no requirement in law or statute requiring these invoice to be paid.

If your debit card was a Visa debit a charge back can be done!

The_Edge

I tried the chargeback against a clamping firm previous, and got nowhere. But I will try again!

esmerobbo

The_Edge wrote: »

I tried the chargeback against a clamping firm previous, and got nowhere. But I will try again!

Yup there not easy but you have to keep at them, took me months once until I asked them to confirm it was their final decision and to send me a letter saying so, so I could go to the FOS suddenly they allowed the chargeback!!