Parking Eye- loss of appeal...too late to ignore?

Forumfodder

Oh dear, I wish I had seen this earlier! Would you all be kind enough to give your advice?

I was recently at work and had to attend an event for charities in the town centre. I parked in the same car park I always use but noticed that the pay machines had changed. I paid the fee and was back at the car in time. Unfortunately I had a call from the family of a client who had become very ill and were distressed- rather than take it in the street I finished the conversation in the privacy of my car especially as I could not put the phone down on someone so upset!

I thought It would not matter if I was sat in the car as I would see if any wardens were about. I thought no more about it until a letter came from Parking Eye saying that I overstayed by 28 minutes and wanting payment.
I have never heard of the company before and as I have always used the car park, even speaking to the owner, thought I would just need to appeal. So I did, using company headed paper with an explanation and an appeal for understanding. Needless to say, the answer was no! So I have just googled the company and found this forum and all the advice not to reply! So I feel rather annoyed with myself and silly at having done so, I am concerned that they will now write to my employee. The fine of £60 is due Monday and then it will increase, and it is now Midnight Friday!. Now that I have contacted them already is it too late to continue to ignore the letters? Any advice gratefully received. Parking Eye is new to this car park in Blackpool so I am not sure what to do!

taxiphil

It's not a "fine". A fine can only be issued by a statutory body, e.g. the police or council. A private party can absolutely not fine you, any more than I can fine you £50 for reading this reply.

As you'll already know if you've read some of the other posts on here about Parking Eye, they are running a large scale scam, and their income is entirely dependant upon people who pay up through fear and sheer ignorance of the law.

Please, ignore it.

They are not going to write to your employee - how on earth would they know who they are - and what would they say to them? For starters, it would be a breach of the Data Protection Act.

If you receive any further letters from Parking Eye or are still worried, please post again on here and you'll receive plenty of reassurances from people who know what they're talking about.

bromsgrovebarry

Follow the sound advice of Taxiphil. This is a nasty little scam and I ignore letters from Parking Eye with regularity.

Kite2010

If you pay Parking Spy, they will come back asking for more saying that it was received late. Ignore the PPC

Forumfodder

Hi,
Thanks for your replies. The reason I wrote that I was concerned that they would contact my company is because I used letter headed paper with the address on as I was at work during the incident. The payment must be made by tomorrow and I am still sitting here worrying about whether to pay it or not. I should not have admitted what I did (that is to stay 28 minutes over when I was sat in the car) I just read a post on here about someone who has actually received a court summons from Parking Eye! Eek!

mcjordi

the court cases are normally plants by the ppc. so in otherwords not real lol
just ignore it

Forumfodder

OK Thanks...I am going to grow some balls and ignore them from now on. I should never have replied and admitted it was me in the first place! Oh well...always learning!

Coupon-mad

Forumfodder wrote: »

Hi,
Thanks for your replies. The reason I wrote that I was concerned that they would contact my company is because I used letter headed paper with the address on as I was at work during the incident. The payment must be made by tomorrow and I am still sitting here worrying about whether to pay it or not. I should not have admitted what I did (that is to stay 28 minutes over when I was sat in the car) I just read a post on here about someone who has actually received a court summons from Parking Eye! Eek!

Just the one case...and Parking Eye bottled it.

No need to worry about this at all, you have realised it's a scam just in time.

ponymad_3

Like you I appealed and lost my appeal... I was only 11 mins late! Having now read all the info I am doing nothing more...

Forumfodder

Latest update:My appeal was refused. Last night I went on the parking eye website fora nosy. I put in the 'reference' or 'PCN' code out of of curiosity to see whether the charge had yet been increased as it was supposed to double. Anyway, it wouldn't accept the code and said no payment was due! This morning I got up and found I had received another letter from Parking Eye, stating that following my appeal I would not have to pay the charge and they would drop the fee....except an admin fee of £10 to do so. It also said that I may send further evidence If I wish within the next 7 days, upon receipt they would grant another 14 days to sort it out. I was rather astonished as most of the threads say people always lose. Also, if they agree to drop the charges now, why would I need to send in further evidence?! I bet there would still be an admin charge!

esmerobbo

There are a couple of reasons why they may have allowed your appeal. One is they have no claim and they know it [which doesn't usually stop them] and two they have all been told to get their appeal averages up, for the freedom bill.

I don't understand the £10 admin fee what's that about? They cant say we will accept your appeal if you pay us £10 but if you don't we will reinstate it!

I would ignore them, but if you think paying them the £10 with the hope it will save you receiving the letter chain is the best option for you maybe pay them!! [Ducks and hides behind the settee]