Need Advice re an APCOA letter

LB427SC

Hi,

Looking for some advice re a parking notice from Apcoa. I've read through the forum so understand the need to invoke their appeals process first, then to POPLA but there's a problem.

I dropped someone off who was staying at an Etap hotel in Birmingham Airport, stopped in drop off bay (google street view even shows hotel drop off sign) I didn't even get out of car! Seems strange I'd receive a letter re this? Why have a drop off point if you can't use it?! I was there perhaps 45 seconds.

Heres the question. It wasn't my car, I'd borrowed it. Worse the owner had moved at about time this happened (late Jan) and only yesterday did he receive the letter from Apcoa forwarded on (I think it got to debt collection stage and only then did new people at his last address decide to send on etc)

He's called the debt collection agency and explained all this and they've said I have to call to say I was driver and the paperwork can be transferred to me.

Do i do this or am i somehow admitting something by doing so and damaging my chances to appeal. Its surely absurd that I should pay when I used a marked drop off point for the purpose intended?

My friend is sending letters on he has received.

LB

ColliesCarer

This is still winnable with an appeal from the driver BUT do not call them - it's never advisable to talk to these people by phone and you certainly don't want them having a number they can contact you on.

Instead you and your friend should follow the advice for naming the driver.(there's a letter below that your friend should send to APCOA NOT the debt collectors to discharge their liability as keeper). Your friend should either ignore the debt collectors or send them a letter denying the debt and telling them to refer back to APCOA.

You then wait for APCOA to send you a Notice to Driver in your own name - and only once they have you should send in the 1st appeal template letter you will find in the NEWBIES sticky thread just changing the first line where it says I am the registered keeper.

When they reject your appeal (which is the expected outcome btw) they should provide you with a POPLA code - come back on (and read up in the meantime ) in NEWBIES post #3 about How to Win at POPLA and help from the forum members to fine tune a draft appeal.

Letter to name driver follows:
If mailing letters - go to P.O. and get free certificate of posting as proof they were sent.

Dear Sir

PCN Number xxxx
Vehicle Registration Number xxxxx


I am the registered keeper of the above mentioned vehicle.

I am writing to inform you that I was not the driver of the vehicle on the date of the alleged 'parking event'.

Therefore you must pursue the driver, whose details are:

[INSERT NAME]

[INSERT ADDRESS]

PLEASE NOTE: This discharges my obligation as Registered Keeper under PoFA 2012.

I look forward to receiving confirmation from you that you will cease all further action against me with immediate effect.

Yours faithfully

PRINT NAME

LB427SC

That's so helpful. Thankyou. Ill do that and let you know how we get on