NCP parking fine

Hollysmummy24

A few weeks ago after a long draining shift at work I realised I had forgotten my purse. So a colleague lent me the money to pay for my parking. NONE of the machines were accepting my coins so I tailgated another car out of the carpark. I know this probably wasnt the best course of action but I wasnt prepared to get stuck at work 14 miles from home because the machine wasnt taking my money.
They have now sent me a contravention notice and say they have CCTV evidence- if I dont pay will they send it to the police? Im scared

trisontana

Was this car-park operated on behalf of the council. or was it private?

Either way it's nothing to do with the police, but before we can answer you fully we will need to know if that car-park was private or council.

Hollysmummy24

Its a private car park

trisontana

Hollysmummy24 wrote: »

Its a private car park

Then you just ignore. You don't owe them a penny. This is a civil matter and nothing at all to do with the police. In theory they could take you to the small claims court but as they can only claim for actual material loss suffered then it's not worth their while.

AltheHibby

If the car park is covered by cctv then they must have some of you trying to pay. Relax.

bondy_lad

do not worry a jot,just ignore everything to do with this you may recieve in the post,,nothing,absolutely nothing will/can happen to you as a result of this, do not contact in any way shape or form,,come back as often as you like for reassurance,relax,enjoy w/end.

Hollysmummy24

Thanks everyone.
It all looked very official so worried me a bit but meh I tried to pay its not like im some common criminal

trisontana

Hollysmummy24 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.
It all looked very official so worried me a bit but meh I tried to pay its not like im some common criminal

That's the idea I'm afraid. It's called "impersonation of authority". Or, to put it another way, it's a scam.

AlexisV

If you didn't pay, you legally owe them two or three pounds. In theory you could write and ask them to send you an invoice for the correct amount, but you'll be banging your head against a brick wall. They're only interested in sending out templated letters in an attempt to relieve victims of set amounts of money.

Did they send you a letter based purely on CCTV footage (presumably some bloke in a high vis jacket scribbled down your number).

Two choices - ignore, or send them a letter stating:

"I parked for X hours on X day at X car park and attempted to pay in the machine. It would not accept my money, so I had no choice but to leave.

I have received a spurious invoice for an incorrect amount. Please send me an invoice for the correct charge for the time I was parked.

Any demand for money over and above the amount legally owed will be disregarded, so to save your own costs I suggest only sending me a correct invoice for settlement."

give_them_FA

Yes, that does cover you. But they won't bother, they are only interested in "fining" people.

You will get the same result in the end by ignoring them completely. The lie about the police is a new one, though? Anyone else heard of the police being mentioned by the scammers before??

Coupon-mad

Hollysmummy24 wrote: »

A few weeks ago after a long draining shift at work I realised I had forgotten my purse. So a colleague lent me the money to pay for my parking. NONE of the machines were accepting my coins so I tailgated another car out of the carpark. I know this probably wasnt the best course of action but I wasnt prepared to get stuck at work 14 miles from home because the machine wasnt taking my money.
They have now sent me a contravention notice and say they have CCTV evidence- if I dont pay will they send it to the police? Im scared

What made you think the Police can possibly get involved - would they come running if I called them and said you owed me some money?!

What I am wondering is, did they say that about the Police in the letter?