Friend got ticket- Please help if you can?

bob_dob

Hi,
Please can anyone help me? My friend has received a ticket where he thought that he didn't need one. He is a lovely had so id love to help him.
Here is a link to a scan of the image, to me (who knows nothing), it looks as if the scan of his number plate of his car allegedly leaving is unclear?

He said he doesn't mind his vehicle reg showing on here.

Anyway, here goes:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/craigten/MTicket.jpg

vax2002

This is a Scam parking ticket.
A bit of a complicated scam that impersonates Authority.
He can Ignore it and they will most likely just send lots of silly letters and impersonate other types of authority.
This was a free car park, the loss is zero.
they can not legally charge penalties.

bob_dob

Thank you so much for this!!
Please can i ask how they manage to take the scans of the number plates if they are scammers?
And should i report them to anybody?

Coupon-mad

bob_dob wrote: »

Thank you so much for this!!
Please can i ask how they manage to take the scans of the number plates if they are scammers?
And should i report them to anybody?

Because they have a camera! They are not scans, they are pictures just like other private parking firms use - e.g. Parking Eye, Flashpark, Highview, if you Google any of them you will see the same sort of tickets.

And if you had read the top thread first you would have seen the sort of letters theses PPCs send out. Your letter is no different. Read the top thread 'PPC letters & threats'. Look at the pics on that thread of the TPS letters and debt collector threats - although I know they have changed a bit with a rubbish 'BPA' logo now added (big deal, it's the PPCs' members' club!).

Watch the Watchdog clip also linked in the top thread. It features a fake PCN just like yours with a pretty photo of a car on it as well, watch what the solicitor says you should do with such a piece of rubbish.

Read this recent thread too about TPS fake PCN like yours:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3742065

These firms are involved in a scam because they impersonate authority and make you think you've got a parking ticket, a 'fine' (it's no such thing). Then they follow it up with debt collector threatograms (as shown in the top sticky thread).

You can't report them because they tread a fine line by calling their 'PCN' a 'parking charge notice' rather than a REAL 'penalty charge notice' which comes from a Council. They get away with it because many PPCs are run by fat cats with connections to members of the Government, the Lords and the Royals. There is a LOT of money in this industry and they won't be stopped completely.

You are only a victim to this scam if you pay them or if you give them some information by thinking you should 'appeal' (there is no such thing, they lie). DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT CONTACTING THEM AT ALL, JUST IGNORE ALL THE LETTERS IN THE ABSENCE OF REAL, SEALED COURT PAPERS WHICH WILL NEVER COME.

DaveF327

Interesting how they state that their terms and conditions are "prominently displayed" when their only evidence shows it as being pitch black.

As for "agreed to", well, if this goes to court, ask them to show a photo of your friend reading and understanding the sign by torchlight. If they can do that, they deserve their money.

bob_dob

Thanks all, my friend blew a huge sigh of relief at this.
Thank you so much.

two questions-
1, How come they are able to search the vehicle reg to get your details?
2, There really is, legally, absolutely nothing anyone can do to stop these firms doing this?

BoGoF

I say Bob, your 'friends' seem to get themselves in a bit of a pickle over car issues.......

TrickyWicky

bob_dob wrote: »

two questions-
1, How come they are able to search the vehicle reg to get your details?
2, There really is, legally, absolutely nothing anyone can do to stop these firms doing this?

1) Because the DVLA / Government will do business with anyone who can make them money. Selling Registered Keeper details at £2.50 per time is a nice little earner for them. The fact that the Data Protection Act actually applies to this is of no concern to them because they're a big government department and they have more muscle than you and me. Thats basically how it works.

2) No, diddly squat really. The government is actually attempting to make it semi legitimate with the bill of 'freedoms' which instead of giving us any freedoms actually attempts to restrict them a bit more and give PPCs registered keeper liability. It's a load of tripe but because the government will see their share of it in tax revenue they'll do business with anyone. The BBC watchdog program tried to put this scam to bed a few years back and its still going with PPCs still ripping people off.

Kite2010

Love the pictures, how are they going to determine the driver from them?

And also prove that the driver read the signs if they are unlit. Ignore it.

PasturesNew

I am still ignoring the letters I've been sent from a similar company since May last year.... they've now got as far as making them look like debt recovery letters, but reading the words very carefully all the letters talk of "may... take you to court" ... "we might ..." ... so I keep ignoring them.

I've done a complete 100% ignore of everything, right from day one. It works out at about one letter every 5-8 weeks.

vax2002

It is legal to invoice anyone for anything, even if you dont owe it.
I could invoice you £500 for reading this and make all sorts of bottomless threats about suing you for not paying it.
You are free to decide who to pay for what.

Most people who pays these tend to be the "clever people", those who dont tend to have what the "clever people " lack
Common sense.
Which anyone with an an ounce of common sense can smell this is a scam and if you dont pay thier is not a right lot they can do about it.