PCN escalated to Debt Collectors

60GsBaby

Please advise what I should do.
In April I was issued a PCN by UK Car Park Management - reason 'Not Displaying a Valid Permit'

I have a parking permit but it had blown into the passenger footwell as I'd opened the door.

I was advised by colleagues to ignore the ticket as it's an invoice and not an actual charge.

Two months later - Mid June. I've received 'Demand for payment - unpaid Parking Charge Notice £149.00' from DRP (Debt Recovery Plus LTD).

The car is registered in my wife's name and I don't want to cause her undue stress as I'm a named driver.

After finding this forum and the Newbies thread I'm wondering what my next action is?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Umkomaas

After finding this forum and the Newbies thread I'm wondering what my next action is?

Just read post #4 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky which will tell you all about how to handle debt collectors.

Also read the following thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5035663

You might also get debt collector correspondence from Zenith Debt Collections - that's when DRP wash their hands of you and pass it on to an even scarier debt collector , until you read the small print at the bottom of the letter to find that 'Zenith is a trading name for Debt Recovery Plus'. All part of the intimidation process.

The only time you need take any action is if you receive a Letter Before Action/Claim from the PPC or their Solicitors (neither DRP nor Zenith can do this) or real court papers. Come back if you get either.

I was advised by colleagues to ignore the ticket as it's an invoice and not an actual charge.

What have your 'knowledgeable' colleagues got to say about where you are now?

Any of them any good at writing a court defence for you? Ask them!

fisherjim

Ignore debt collectors they can't do anything but bluff and bluster, oh and trump up the charge which you shouldn't pay.

Where was this dastardly contravention, work, home?

60GsBaby

Thankyou Umkomaas ,

So, if i have read correctly, the options are respond with a robust response or ignore completely?

60GsBaby

Fisherjim, I'm currently subcontracting for another company, it happened at their work premises.

fisherjim

60GsBaby wrote: »

Fisherjim, I'm currently subcontracting for another company, it happened at their work premises.

OK, have you complained to that company as their hounds are at your heels even though you were there on business?

60GsBaby

fisherjim wrote: »

OK, have you complained to that company as their hounds are at your heels even though you were there on business?

I have but thats when they responded with 'just ignore it'.

The premises is based on an industrial unit with several other companies and business premises and I believe the landowner is responsible for introducing the parking wardens.

Umkomaas

60GsBaby wrote: »

Thankyou Umkomaas ,

So, if i have read correctly, the options are respond with a robust response or ignore completely?

Yes. Personally I'd just ignore them.

There's plenty of anecdote to suggest that engaging with a debt collector, via any medium, encourages them to ramp up the pressure with further letters. They seem to work on the basis that they now know you have received their communication (you're a 'live fish') and it has drawn a reaction (nibbled on the bait), and they'll try a further letter to intimidate you further (a 'hooked fish') in the hope you'll pay up (reel you in).

Sorry about the piscatorial metaphors!

60GsBaby

Umkomaas wrote: »

Yes. Personally I'd just ignore them.

There's plenty of anecdote to suggest that engaging with a debt collector, via any medium, encourages them to ramp up the pressure with further letters. They seem to work on the basis that they now know you have received their communication (you're a 'live fish') and it has drawn a reaction (nibbled on the bait), and they'll try a further letter to intimidate you further (a 'hooked fish') in the hope you'll pay up (reel you in).

Sorry about the piscatorial metaphors!

the metaphors were illuminating and welcomed :T
I appreciate your time spent in responding.

i shall wait and see what happens. Annoyingly the contravention happened during a school holiday so I was one of the only cars parked in the carpark so didn't inconvenience any other user.

beamerguy

60GsBaby wrote: »

Please advise what I should do.
In April I was issued a PCN by UK Car Park Management - reason 'Not Displaying a Valid Permit'

I have a parking permit but it had blown into the passenger footwell as I'd opened the door.

I was advised by colleagues to ignore the ticket as it's an invoice and not an actual charge.

Two months later - Mid June. I've received 'Demand for payment - unpaid Parking Charge Notice £149.00' from DRP (Debt Recovery Plus LTD).

The car is registered in my wife's name and I don't want to cause her undue stress as I'm a named driver.

After finding this forum and the Newbies thread I'm wondering what my next action is?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

You have reached the stage that a bunch of crazies are contacting you .... DRP ???
They operate a "no win no fee" setup meaning they earn nothing if people do not respond to their rubbish let alone pay ?

SO, YOU IGNORE THEM until they get fed up sending out silly letters in an attempt to extort money from you

If UKCPM want to go further and issue court papers, come back here.
IT WILL NOT BE DRP who do that because they cannot

fisherjim

As above, think of it like this; debt recovery is not escalation, it's desperation!