Private ticket lists wrong street

jambon79

Hi all, just after a bit of advice after being stung with a hefty parking ticket from a private operator. The land out the back of my office has always been available for parking until a few weeks ago when some signs went up saying it was being patrolled by a private company. No employees of this company were spotted and people continued to use it.

A couple of days ago I returned to find a ticket on my car window with a parking charge notice saying I had parked their without a valid ticket or permit. The notice however names the wrong street from where I was actually parked and I was wondering whether this would be grounds for appeal?

The charge is exorbitant to say the least, and has come at a really bad time.

All advice welcome.

thanks in advance

jambon79

bazster

What company? Anyway, don't do anything unless and until you receive a Notice in the post, then come back here. DO NOT CONTACT THEM!

Identifying the wrong location would certainly be one ground to get it cancelled, but there are lots more, so you will not be paying it. BUT do tell us what company. Scraps of land in cities are often "patrolled" by moronic ex-clampers who aren't even members of the BPA. Such people have no way of finding out who you are, they would simply be hoping you contact them. So who are they?

jambon79

Hi there, thanks for the reply. It was issued by a company called Vehicle Control Services who are BPA approved from what I can see.

Coupon-mad

As per the advice on all fake PCN cases in England/Wales:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/62546533#Comment_62546533

See Umkomaas' post there which is the same advice for you. Read up on POPLA appeals (on any threads about POPLA!) while you wait for the first letter from the scammers. NO challenge yet, keep all letters (and envelopes too if the date of posting differs from the date inside on any letter). We know that VCS are beatable at POPLA appeal stage.

jambon79

Well after thinking they weren't going to bother with me, I received a notice from Vehicle Control Services in the post demanding £100 payment for the 'parking contravention'.

The date of the alleged contravention was 19/07/2013 and the notice is dated 03/10/2013.

Just wondering what the next step is? Appeal this on the grounds that the wrong street is listed on the notice? Or leave it and wait for the next stage?

All advised gratefully received.

spacey2012

Do they actually have a car park on this other street ?

jambon79

Nope, the street where the ticket was issued is a back street (with its own name) and the street listed is the main one that the back street is set back from.

spacey2012

Well for starters, mail a "soft appeal"
parking charge notice 096876986986
The registered keeper denies liability of the parking charge as no proof of authority to levie charges has been provided :
Therefore you should uphold this appeal or provide a POPLA code.
THIS IS AN APPEAL

Yours registered keeper .

Do not put your name, they know who you are, make them work.

Let them explain to POPLA why they are issuing tickets on a public street, I would play along with it.

jambon79

Does it matter that it came more than 56 days after the incident or have I got the wrong end of that stick?

zzzLazyDaisy

jambon79 wrote: »

Does it matter that it came more than 56 days after the incident or have I got the wrong end of that stick?

It depends which letter it is. Does it say 'notice to keeper' or Parking Charge' something like that, and tell you that the driver has failed to pay up so now you are liable as the keeper? Does it have details of the appeals process?

Or is it a letter that comes further down the line, by way of reminder?

If it is the first then yes, it is out of time and you should appeal on that basis - and tell them to cancel the charge or give you a POPLA code.

You should also copy the PCN to BPA and DVLA and COMPLAIN about VCS attempting to enforce the charge against you as the registered keeper when they clearly have no right to do so, having failed to comply with the strict time limits set by POFA 2012.

jambon79

Thanks for your replies people, it is appreciated.

It is titled 'Notice to keeper/driver' with an issue date of 03/10/13 relating to a contravention date of 19/07/13.

I will look in to the appeal process and also the POPLA side of things over the weekend.