Smart Parking £40 fine

FTMDan

Dad recently got one of these and he mistakenly paid it before I had a chance to tell him otherwise. Apparently he was parked in the ASDA car park for four hours, which is a load of tripe.

How would he go about getting his money back?

Stroma

You don't say if its England or Wales, and when this was paid, also when this occurred. Your only chance is to use popla appeals or to sue them and the landowner IMO

FTMDan

This was in England, was paid today and letter was yesterday.

Stroma

Well he would need to appeal to them and demand a popla verification code. I believe it's still possible to appeal even when paid. But you have to have a good reason, like proof he wasn't there for 4 hours for example.

To be honest you are going to be really hard pressed to get this money back without issuing a small claim. You could also try asda with a complaint. But they are useless with this.

Coupon-mad

FTMDan wrote: »

This was in England, was paid today and letter was yesterday.

Stomp into Asda with it and complain, then complain again to their Head Office if the Store Manager doesn't sort it out (like this poster did, only she hadn't paid the thing):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4534485

But in this case, the person HAD paid and then complained to Asda Head Office, and got a gift card AND the fake PCN refunded with an apology from one 'J Bottomley' at Asda Executive Relations. See melis' post #73:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4116581

And it does look as though a driver can appeal within 28 days even if they have paid, so read around a bit and try to complain first, then if need be - BUT well within 28 DAYS of the fake PCN - try the appeal options on his behalf. Don't leave the original fake PCN with Asda, keep it for more action.

Why oh why did he go and pay the scamogram? Very sad and makes us angry about the whole scam. Is your Dad elderly or disabled or does he have any longterm medical condition...or did he actually drive there twice that day? All of which will give you further ammo for the complaint.

FTMDan

Well he's diabetic but besides that no medical conditions (Is diabetes classed as a medical condition?). The thing is he's a taxi driver and the times that they have him going in and out of the car park don't make sense because he didn't stop in there for 4 hours; he was getting jobs to/from ASDA during the early evening and they've basically lied through their teeth.

Stroma

I would definitely complain to asda then, if they stopped taxis using their store they'd be knackered. On the complaint you ask them to add the vehicle to a white list that don't get fake tickets. Tell them that if they dont fix this problem your dad will get the taxi firms to shop their drivers going there enmasse

Coupon-mad

FTMDan wrote: »

Well he's diabetic but besides that no medical conditions (Is diabetes classed as a medical condition?). The thing is he's a taxi driver and the times that they have him going in and out of the car park don't make sense because he didn't stop in there for 4 hours; he was getting jobs to/from ASDA during the early evening and they've basically lied through their teeth.

It wasn't at Peterlee Asda was it?

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=78206

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=78224

Now this week is THE TIME to put in a written complaint to Asda Head Office about dodgy cameras at any Asda car park.

Yes diabetes is covered by the Equality Act so if he had overstayed you could have used the law as part of your complaint. But seeing as this is a TAXI taking customers to and from Asda you don't even need that angle.

COMPLAIN to Asda and let us know what they say, if you/he complain in Store make sure it's the Store Manager (not a Duty Manager' off the meat counter!) who you complain to and tell them you know that Smart Parking have form for 'faults' with their cameras when there is more than one visit.

Demand to know why on earth Asda is in the pocket of these scammers and do not take it for an answer if the CS desk person tries to say they don't own the car park (Asda have form for that fob-off lie).

FTMDan

Heh, it was Peterlee ASDA yes.

Coupon-mad

FTMDan wrote: »

Heh, it was Peterlee ASDA yes.

Heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheeeeeeeeee!

:rotfl::rotfl:

FatAndy

FTMDan wrote: »

Well he's diabetic but besides that no medical conditions (Is diabetes classed as a medical condition?). The thing is he's a taxi driver and the times that they have him going in and out of the car park don't make sense because he didn't stop in there for 4 hours; he was getting jobs to/from ASDA during the early evening and they've basically lied through their teeth.

Not-so-Smart Parking recently tried a similiar "first in last out" scam on a motorist at the Asda store in Llandudno, albeit not a taxi driver. He went to the local paper and they printed a prominent story about his ordeal. Perhaps you try calling your local paper's newsdesk to see if they're interested? If nothing else it could generate some nice negative publicity for Asda and Not-so-Smart and might also raise more awareness that this is nothing more than a scam.