Help we are getting speeding prosecution notices for someone else

Crater

Can anyone advise?

Some fraudster has given our address for their car registration and we are now getting notices of speeding prosecution in his name at our address.

We reported this to the "Camera and Tickets office" nearly a month ago and they said to send everything back with an explanation and they would investigate.

Instead, we are now getting "Reminders of prosecution" for the same name. The Camera and Tickets Office (which is at Stevenage, a county away from where we live) has simply ignored us.

Can anyone tell me what I should do? I can't call them again till Monday, but what is the point of calling when they don't pay any attention to letters?

Thank you for any advice.

glentoran99

put them back in the post box, with "not known at this address" if they aren't addressed to you then you shouldn't be opening them

shaun_from_Africa

glentoran99 wrote: »

put them back in the post box, with "not known at this address" if they aren't addressed to you then you shouldn't be opening them

There is no reason either legally or morally why the OP shouldn't be opening the letters.
Opening mail addressed to another person is only illegal if you don't have reasonable cause and by opening the mail, you intend to cause harm, loss or distress to the person it was meant for.

neilmcl

glentoran99 wrote: »

put them back in the post box, with "not known at this address" if they aren't addressed to you then you shouldn't be opening them

If it has their address on, albeit with a different name, then the OP is fully entitled to open the letters.

OP, how long have you lived at your address, could it be the addressee was a previous occupier who simply hasn't updated his address details with the DVLA?

Crater

Hi. No, it isn't an innocent neighbour or failed update. We've lived here over 20 years.

shaun_from_Africa

Even if a letter or package is delivered to your house and it has both a different name and address on it, you aren't automatically breaking any laws by opening it.

You might for example get something delivered that looks (or smells) perishable and which doesn't have a senders name on the outside.
You are perfectly within your rights to open it with the hope of finding an invoice or other details inside.

shaun_from_Africa

Personally, I would suggest that you contact the DVLA and explain the problem. Once they realise that there are incorrect details on record, they should hopefully remove your address from the vehicle details.

glentoran99

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

There is no reason either legally or morally why the OP shouldn't be opening the letters.
Opening mail addressed to another person is only illegal if you don't have reasonable cause and by opening the mail, you intend to cause harm, loss or distress to the person it was meant for.

neilmcl wrote: »

If it has their address on, albeit with a different name, then the OP is fully entitled to open the letters.

OP, how long have you lived at your address, could it be the addressee was a previous occupier who simply hasn't updated his address details with the DVLA?

fair enough, one of those urban legends that's accepted as the truth, still though easier to stick in the psot box to return to sender than any other hassle

Crater

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Personally, I would suggest that you contact the DVLA and explain the problem. Once they realise that there are incorrect details on record, they should hopefully remove your address from the vehicle details.

Hi. I've already contacted the DVLA and told them this, and had a letter from them saying that the address has been removed from their records.

That is for the Log Book. The people who deal with "tickets" though apparently have no interest in what the DVLA thinks - they just plough on regardless with whatever is easiest.

vikingaero

It's all very well returning mail when a meathead bailiff appears on your doorstep demanding money. Despite rules and regulations not all bailiffs are reasonable and honest. All they care about is getting their bonus.

Send ONE recorded signed for letter to the ticketing office. Tell them in writing that the car has been fraudulently registered at your address. Tell them to cease and desist with all letters and that you will charge them £150 per letter received. Allow them permission to sent one letter to acknowledge this.

glentoran99

vikingaero wrote: »

It's all very well returning mail when a meathead bailiff appears on your doorstep demanding money. Despite rules and regulations not all bailiffs are reasonable and honest. All they care about is getting their bonus.

Send ONE recorded signed for letter to the ticketing office. Tell them in writing that the car has been fraudulently registered at your address. Tell them to cease and desist with all letters and that you will charge them £150 per letter received. Allow them permission to sent one letter to acknowledge this.

Would never get to that stage, and if by some fluke it did as soon as you show you aren't that person they go away