Court deadline from Debt Recovery Plus: HELP!

freddyq

Hi All,

First of all apologies if the answer to my question is already on the forums but I've read through all the guidance and it doesn't quite cater for my particular scenario.

Basically my brother waited for a short time at a car park near Ealing Broadway train station on two separate occasions and I ended up receiving a fine from the PPC running that car park - interestingly the other occasion was also penalised but the fine was sent to my parents' address. Now I am not, and never have been the registered keeper of the car. My dad bought the car and was the keeper but I shared use with him until recently when I bought my own car. Since then my brother has started driving it instead of me. My dad responded to the first letter (fine) received from the PPC at their address and they have not followed up with any letters since. In the case of the fine sent to me however, the PPC continued to pursue me and having read the older guidance to ignore I did exactly that. I then received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus which I also ignored but then I received a second letter giving me a deadline of 24th Feb to pay £150 otherwise court action will be instructed. I came back on the forums and reading more recent advice decided to "robustly respond" to DRP based on the template on one of the forum posts.

This week, a week after my letter to them, I receive yet another chaser from Debt Recovery Plus this time with a reduced payment offer and threatening to be the final offer before they pass on to their solicitor. Their letter has no reference to my response at all and neither does it acknowledge it. Now I'm not sure what to do - do I appeal to the PPC, complain to the CSA and Financial Ombudsman since the debt company have persisted despite my letter or tell the PPC that they're wasting their time since I'm not and never have been the registered keeper? I don't really want them to start harassing my dad if I tell them I'm not the keeper but want to put this all to bed.

Please could someone advise how best I can take next steps? I don't have much time before this 24th Feb deadline but if I have clear instructions I'm willing to spend the time required to put together the necessary responses.

Many thanks and apologies for the lengthy post!

Fred.

Stroma

You are too far along the path now, so just ignore them and their other company Zenith Collections, they won't be going to court as it's all bluster and hot air. If you do get a letter before claim from the parking company update this thread. Who by the way is the parking company ?

Redx

debt collectors cannot take you to court, all they can do is refer it back to the creditor

freddyq

Hmm right ok - the PPC is Park Direct I believe. I'll double check the letters but pretty sure it was Park Direct. Guess I'll ignore and wait then - if I get a letter before claim I will certainly post back.

How on earth did they get my address to send me the fine when the car was always registered to my dad and his address? I had a private plate on the car which I moved to my new car around the same time the fines were received but I thought these fines can only go to registered keeper addresses?

getmore4less

we are on this path as well but one stage further, 1st Zenith letter, who are DR+ in another name.

if they really wanted to go to court why send yet another letter with a reduced offer.....

kirkbyinfurnesslad_2

They are not fines.

getmore4less

freddyq wrote: »

Hmm right ok - the PPC is Park Direct I believe. I'll double check the letters but pretty sure it was Park Direct. Guess I'll ignore and wait then - if I get a letter before claim I will certainly post back.

How on earth did they get my address to send me the fine when the car was always registered to my dad and his address? I had a private plate on the car which I moved to my new car around the same time the fines were received but I thought these fines can only go to registered keeper addresses?

Might be they have got your new cars details, that will mess them up unless the same model and color.

freddyq

getmore4less - that's interesting and somewhat reassuring. I have come across this Zenith name whilst reading all the forum posts. What do you mean it will mess them up? The new car is a totally different car.

getmore4less

perhaps should have said might.

if the letter has come to you with your reg that will be the car they are claiming parked, will be very different to the photos.


If you look at the tiny print at the bottom of Zenith.... its just a trading name of DR+.

freddyq

Ohh got it - yes true. I can't remember if the original letter included my reg but it would be pretty messy for them if that came into question.

Why doesn't the Met Police or council take any action against companies like Park Direct? Can nothing be done to stop them enforcing such bogus penalties?

kirkbyinfurnesslad_2

freddyq wrote: »

Ohh got it - yes true. I can't remember if the original letter included my reg but it would be pretty messy for them if that came into question.

Why doesn't the Met Police or council take any action against companies like Park Direct? Can nothing be done to stop them enforcing such bogus penalties?

Its not illegal to send someone an invoice to say you owe them money