Athena ANPR

Zemerin

Good evening everyone

In early November I was issued with a CPC by Athena for a 29 minute overstay in a Lidl car park. (I was not shopping at the time, I was waiting to pick up a friend. I am aware Lidl have up to an hour and a half parking if you shop, and up to 10 minutes free if you don't) I waited for just over 10 days before sending off the soft appeal as written in the Newbies thread. Unfortunately, this is where things become a touch more complicated.

The NtK came through to my mother - I was driving her car at the time. (Perhaps not so much of an issue) I copied the soft appeal and enveloped it up, but I guess it got scooped up with the rest of the outgoing mail and dropped into a mailbox, meaning I have no certificate of posting.

This morning, my mum received a letter titled "overdue reminder" from Athena (in which they state they have received no form of appeal, which unfortunately I am unable to prove otherwise due to no certificate!) and at this point I am unsure as to how I continue. This is where I require some advice; would it be a safer bet now for me to send off another letter on her behalf stating who the driver was to effectively reset it?

Please provide me with some advice on how to continue. Many thanks for any help given

Redx

send the template letter again (from the RK not the driver), with free cert of posting at the PO, and add that this is a reminder copy as you have already sent it once back in november, so this is your reminder to them of your initial appeal (this is sent from the RK , not the driver) and you expect them to deal with your letters as promptly as you did theirs

do not mention anything about proof of posting at this stage , for either appeal letter

Zemerin

I'll do just that, many thanks for the quick reply.

Zemerin1

Hey guys. Had a few problems with MSE accounts etc, so I've ended up making a new one.

I sent a second appeals letter on the 21st December, and came home today to be greeted with a "Final Demand' letter from Athena ANPR. As mentioned in my earlier post, the car is registered to my mum, who is becoming quite anxious at all these letters coming through the door. I've tried to explain to her to deal with these debt collection companies.

Athena have no ignored two of my appeal letters, and the final demand states I have only 14 days to pay before they contact a 'Debt Collection Company'

What is the next point of play. I feel that a third appeal letter with a paragraph stating this is my third appeal is appropriate. So far they have refused to give me my POPLA code and I don't want further letters coming through giving my mum a fright!

Any advice is greatly appreciated, yet again.

Many thanks

bod1467

See the NEWBIES thread. See the Complain to BPA section - many PPCs are using this tactic now (ignoring appeals and continuing to chase the "debt"). Complaints to Steve.C at the BPA in such cases often get the invoices cancelled.

Zemerin1

bod1467 wrote: »

See the NEWBIES thread. See the Complain to BPA section - many PPCs are using this tactic now (ignoring appeals and continuing to chase the "debt"). Complaints to Steve.C at the BPA in such cases often get the invoices cancelled.

Excellent advice yet again, I'll do that. Thanks a lot

Zemerin1

Could someone just give this letter a once over for me to ensure everything is correct?

Dear Steve Clarke

I would like to make a formal complaint to the British Parking Association regarding a document impersonating a 'Penalty Charge Notice' issued on 12th November 2014 by Athena ANPR. Please find the Notice to Keeper attached (1).

My original letter of appeal was sent to Athena ANPR on the 21st November within which I requested a POPLA Code. I recieved no response until the 18th December 2014 where I recieved a letter titled 'Overdue Reminder'. I sent a further appeals letter to Athena ANPR again requesting a POPLA code, to which I have recieved no response. Please see the Certificate of Posting attached to this email (2). On the morning of the 5th January 2015 I recieved a further letter titled 'Final Demand' from Athena ANPR (3).

Since the posting of my first appeal, Athena ANRP have effectively ignored any of my requests for a POPLA code and offered no communication aside from a generic letter regarding their 'charge'. This leads me to believe that Athena ANPR are in breach of the BPA code.

Thanks

bod1467

Looks OK to me.

Maybe just add that you have certificates of posting for the letters you have sent (and enclose copies in your email).

Zemerin1

Just to update you all

Received an email today from BPA saying that the ticket has been canceled as a "gesture of goodwill". Needless to say I'm not planning to shop at Lidl any time soon.

The email claims that Athena sent out two reminder letters to me, neither of which I have received.

Many thanks for all advice and help!

Redx

the British Post Office should be ashamed of itself, due to the sheer number of parking company letters that are lost in the post

apcoa , athena and armtrac are suffering badly because of it lol

Umkomaas

Needless to say I'm not planning to shop at Lidl any time soon.

Please write to Lidl and tell them exactly why they've lost your custom, that of your family and that of as many friends who you are able to persuade to follow your example of boycotting retailers who allow a third party to harass and intimidate one of their (now ex) customers.

This is the real way of hammering the PPCs.