PCN - Smart Parking - Incorrect registration

veedub1989

Hi all,

Before I start I should say that I have read the pinned threads and used the search function but it seems that my situation is a little different than the others posted. I'd appreciate any help/advice that you can give. And yes, my plan is to IGNORE this pcn.

I received a ticket on Tuesday for parking without a ticket at a supermarket. I accept that I was in the wrong. Whilst I spent over £50 on shopping in store I simply did not have the £2 cash required for the machine. The car park is managed by Smart Parking (formally Town and City Parking without the 'Ltd' part as seen in other threads).

The difference to the norm is that the attendant incorrectly recorded my registration on the ticket, therefore the registration on the ticket is not for a vehicle to which I am the registered keeper. In addition, I do not see any APNR cameras taking photos of cars entering/leaving the car park. I do not know if the attendants take photos of the offending vehicles as an alternative (it would seem sensible to presume that they do). As I see it this leaves me with a few options:

1. Completely ignore everything
2. Ignore the ticket and wait for Smart Parking to attain details from the DVLA (which, presuming that the attendant did not take a photo of my car, will result in nothing happening as the car on the ticket is not mine and therefore the details of the RK will also be incorrect)
3. Ignore the ticket and receive a letter from Smart Parking (presuming they have a photo of my car) and start the ball rolling.

I'd welcome your commentary as to the best course of action. i.e. whether it would best to completely ignore the situation or contact them (without admitting any liability) and say that the registration on the ticket is simply not mine/it is incorrect and try to wrangle out of it.

Some things to note:
-The signs in the car park look new and say 'Smart Parking' with the 'Ltd' part of Town and City Parking defaced.
-The signs also say 'Parking Charge Notice rather than 'Penalty' so there's no loophole there either

Thanks all, I appreciate any advice.

Stroma

They would probably look at the images they've taken of the vehicle after they realise their mistake, so be aware as these particular scammers are not regulated in any way they may still try it on with you.

So don't contact them at all, and wait to see if they come after you is the best option for you right now.

dggar

******* (Day of the Week)
***** (Name of the Shop)
***********(Town)
********** (UserName)

Possibly too much information there.

OP please Edit it quickly

veedub1989

dggar wrote: »

Possibly too much information there.

Edit it quickly

All is fake info, username does not relate to car make either.

Either way, please edit out your post so as not to confuse.

atilla

veedub1989 wrote: »

.

Some things to note:
-The signs in the car park look new and say 'Smart Parking' with the 'Ltd' part of Town and City Parking defaced.
-The signs also say 'Parking Charge Notice rather than 'Penalty' so there's no loophole there either

Thanks all, I appreciate any advice.

The signs actually mention Smart Parking?

Coupon-mad

This is what will happen, do this:

''2. Ignore the ticket and wait for Smart Parking to attain details from the DVLA (which, presuming that the attendant did not take a photo of my car, will result in nothing happening as the car on the ticket is not mine and therefore the details of the RK will also be incorrect)''

They won't look at photos they will just try to get the data of the wrong car reg and then they will give up. Doesn't matter if they don't - as long as this is not a company or lease/hire car - but that's what I think will happen...diddly squat!

If you do get a letter then your case will be the same as everyone else's and the standard advice for incidents in England/Wales only is to:

- challenge the fake PCN (after waiting for any Notice the Keeper) and then when rejected, appeal to POPLA with strong wording and legal challenges as discussed on some threads here and on pepipoo forum.

-complain to Asda. We know it's Asda because they use 'Smart Parking' (at the moment...hoping that all the complaints mean it's only a metter of time!). The more complaints in store to the Store Managers (not to the CS staff, not a 'Duty manager') the better. If you do get letters over this then complain about the harassment, do not take 'we don't own the car park' for an answer because it's an Asda fob-off lie.

pogofish

veedub1989 wrote: »

Before I start I should say that I have read the pinned threads and used the search function but it seems that my situation is a little different than the others posted.

Your situation is absolutely no different! - You have a fake "ticket" just like everyone else. All should now proceed in the exactly the same way from this grounding.

veedub1989

atilla wrote: »

The signs actually mention Smart Parking?

Yes, the signs mention Smart Parking specifically. They appear to be fairly new.

veedub1989

Coupon-mad wrote: »

This is what will happen, do this:

''2. Ignore the ticket and wait for Smart Parking to attain details from the DVLA (which, presuming that the attendant did not take a photo of my car, will result in nothing happening as the car on the ticket is not mine and therefore the details of the RK will also be incorrect)''

They won't look at photos they will just try to get the data of the wrong car reg and then they will give up. Doesn't matter if they don't - as long as this is not a company or lease/hire car - but that's what I think will happen...diddly squat!

If you do get a letter then your case will be the same as everyone else's and the standard advice for incidents in England/Wales only is to:

- challenge the fake PCN (after waiting for any Notice the Keeper) and then when rejected, appeal to POPLA with strong wording and legal challenges as discussed on some threads here and on pepipoo forum.

-complain to Asda. We know it's Asda because they use 'Smart Parking' (at the moment...hoping that all the complaints mean it's only a metter of time!). The more complaints in store to the Store Managers (not to the CS staff, not a 'Duty manager') the better. If you do get letters over this then complain about the harassment, do not take 'we don't own the car park' for an answer because it's an Asda fob-off lie.

I think this is what will happen but I feel slightly anxious that with the change in signage and ruling that Smart parking stationary is allowed to keep 'Town and City Parking', that I'm fighting a bit of a losing battle. For the potential hassle, it seems that £40 isn't much bother!

That being said, I'd obviously rather not pay if I can help it. My car is currently registered at my parents address (just bought a new house so in the process of moving) and I'd hate for them to have debt collectors visit their property.

Thanks very much for the advice received thus far.

Stroma

What hassle is there to ignore the letters if they even write to you ? If you get phishing emails do you give them your bank details to save the hassle of getting more emails ? If a Nigerian prince asked you to deposit millions in your bank account, would you say okay to save the hassle I'll sent you a grand through western union ?

Sorry but smart parking are utterly useless scammers and can very easily be ignored if they write, it's not difficult to laugh at the pathetic attempt to scam you, I've done it with other companies, and smart wouldn't even give me a fake ticket even when I asked for one.

veedub1989

Stroma wrote: »

What hassle is there to ignore the letters if they even write to you ? If you get phishing emails do you give them your bank details to save the hassle of getting more emails ? If a Nigerian prince asked you to deposit millions in your bank account, would you say okay to save the hassle I'll sent you a grand through western union ?

Sorry but smart parking are utterly useless scammers and can very easily be ignored if they write, it's not difficult to laugh at the pathetic attempt to scam you, I've done it with other companies, and smart wouldn't even give me a fake ticket even when I asked for one.

Thanks for the advice.

I guess for some it is easier to ignore these sorts of attempts than others (hence why these sorts of companies still manage to exist and be profitable). I just need reassurance that it will fizzle out and that I'm not going down a road whereby the whole situation becomes escaleted.

I'm currently in the process of buying a house ('the second most stressful experience after divorce!') so could do without the hassle. And yes, I'll find the required £2 next time