POPLA refused appeal

LittleMissTired

**I've read the PCN Flow Chart and now need further advice**

Back in May I received a Parking Charge Notice at my town's train station (car park managed by APCOA) because when I used the pay by phone option that morning I accidentally entered my registration incorrectly by one digit. Didn't realise until I got back later that day to a yellow ticket. I'd paid £7.90 for my parking session and have the receipt to prove it. I sent a copy, along with an appeal letter to APCOA. Heard back about a week or so later saying appeal unsuccessful (my responsibility to ensure parking session is purchased correctly, etc, etc)

They included a POPLA number, but in my naivete, I listened to well-meaning friends who gave me a draft of a firm letter to send to APCOA, assuring me of its success. I sent this letter and APCOA replied stating that I couldn't appeal twice with them and had to go through POPLA.

The 28 days had now passed since their first reply, but not their second, so I appealed to POPLA, but they took only the first date into consideration and dismissed it on the grounds that I didn't appeal within the specified time frame.

I did nothing more (other than basically fall to pieces) but was again told by well-meaning friends that I should let them chase me and threaten with court, etc, as it would just get thrown out.

Fast forward to this morning and I receive two(?) letters from DRP demanding the charge plus costs, so it's now about £50 more than the original charge.

Can someone please tell me what I should do? I didn't know about this site and all the great advice when I first received the charge, otherwise I would have followed the advice to the letter. But, instead, I wrote to APCOA in the first instance (politely, apologising for any inconvenience and here's my receipt, blah, blah, blah) and again more firmly. And then to POPLA but evidently too late.

Now what? I absolutely can't afford to pay and don't see why I should! I paid for my parking session! Genuine error as I was in a rush for my train!

Coupon-mad

Another thread about Debt Recovery Plus? They are appearing like buses today, none of them needed - just search the forum about this junk mail. You wasted your 'golden ticket certain win' chance of a POPLA code - silly, but no big deal. You are getting junk mail, so what? No big deal. Same as here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5093267

If you want to learn more search 'Recovery' on this parking forum using the 'search this forum' heading. Warning - there are THOUSANDS of tedious threads about the letter chain which is why we don't need more threads about debt collector letters... it's already been said soooo many times.

One search needed. You will be here till next Christmas 2015 reading the results. No it doesn't affect your credit rating. No DRP can't start a court claim.

The answer is ''no they can't, they are just pen-pushers'' to any question about this scam. Read about it but no need to tell us every time the next letter arrives.

EnigmaPart1

You will hear more about DRP!

APCOA has moved over to DRP and so has PCM,

Half_way

Out of interest does the ticket mention anything about railway by laws ( bylaw 14) if it does then they may have shot themselves in the foot.
if it doesn't then it doesn't matter.

Keep all the junk mail that you get from DRP and anyone else for at least 6 years, and every time you get a letter post it up on here ( remove any personal/identifying information ) Debt recovery plus letters may also morph into Zenith collections and back again.
Keep an eye on the signatures at the bottom of the letters, sometimes James is Claire is James is Claire.

The_Deep

So, your appeal has not been disallowed by PoPLA, they have not adjudicated it as it was out of time.

Look at it this way, entering a wrong registration is exactly the same as a mminor typo in your name of address, no big deal, No one will try to fine you £100 because of it.

AS you have paid the parking fee, neither the PPC or the principal have lost any money. The PPC will know this, but are chancing their arm. I would advise you to ignore them unless you receive a court claim.

However, given that it was a very minor human error, and the PPC are not out of pocket because of anything which you have done, the PPC would be daft to put this in front of a judge.

LittleMissTired

Thank you for the replies. Very helpful.

I know you said not to come on here and mention each time I get a letter from DRP, but another one came today and I just have one quick question. It gives a phone number to call to discuss. Should I call or should I ignore? If I'm honest, ignoring it is giving me the heebie jeebies as I am just waiting for that court letter to come through! But if entering into discussions with DRP will hinder things, then I'll leave well alone.

I haven't checked PCN for railway by laws. Will do so now.

Apologies for delay in giving thanks. I am grateful to all who take time to reply

bazster

Never, ever telephone a debt collector or private parking company. They want your money, they will say anything to get it, and they will treat a 'phone call as an invitation to lie to you and intimidate you.

You will not get a court letter at APCOA's bidding. They don't "do" court, but even if they did in this case they know you can prove you paid so any judge would laugh them out of the building.

Coupon-mad

I haven't checked PCN for railway by laws. Will do so now.

No need. APCOA don't use byelaws to enforce their fake PCNs. Just carry on ignoring the letters and NEVER ring a debt collector (can you imagine what their agenda is?!). They lie through their teeth then keep the phone number to harass you further.