Notification by text message only - scam?

jared1984

Hi Guys,

A fairly quick one to answer I'm guessing as the level of expertise seems high on this site. I searched the newbie threads, plus the forum itself but couldn't find anything that fits my experience.

Basically, I haven't received any notification on my windscreen, anything in the post nor recall any time I've parked incorrectly.

I have, however received 3 text messages from TNC Legal (no number visible) on behalf of Excel Parking Services Ltd stating (in slightly different wording) that I owe £135 'outstanding from my account' and asking me to contact the collections dept on 01412804900.

It does not list my reg nor any location, time or details in relation to anything I've supposedly done wrong. it does give a reference (which I'm not posting on here) but just wonder if this is a scam as I suspect. I've held off calling the number as I don't want to open a can of worms if this is a scam after all.

I called Excel but got lost in a sea of automated options so gave up for now, and also checked on TNC's website who interestingly do list text messages in their collection method page.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Coupon-mad

Same advice as you will see on the JLA Airport thread on here today (I recently replied on it and it's about TNC following up an 18 month old VCS 'ticket' the person knew nothing about. VCS and Excel are owned by the same person). Do not phone either of them, not Excel nor TNC! Complain to the BPA that you have not been sent any letters at all (did you move or have you never updated the V5?). The BPA email is in post #6 of the NEWBIES thread.

Even though Excel have moved to the IPC now, they were in the BPA at the time of any 2013 or 2014 parking event.

Herzlos

That's also a Glasgow area code, so a Scottish office, which means you should be able to just ignore it.

I'd ignore it until you get real paperwork in, and then I'd probably keep ignoring it too.

bod1467

Herzlos wrote: »

That's also a Glasgow area code, so a Scottish office, which means you should be able to just ignore it.

Good spot. If the alleged offence was in Scotland, or OP lives in Scotland, then you are collecting electronic bog paper.

The_Slithy_Tove

Do the same as you should with any text message from an unknown or unsolicited source: delete it, ignore it. There is no way that text messages can be construed as proper communication relating to (alleged) debts.