Leaseheld space & Double ticket

KeithP

A debt collector's letter.

Although appearing to come from Gladstones, it is actually from DRP.

Treat it as you would all letters from debt collectors.
Post #4 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread explains.

If you are minded to reply as if it were a LBC, then post #2 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread not only offers guidance, but also links to sample robust responses.

BarraDisciple

Thanks Keith, it's 100% from and signed Gladst0nes.

Is it still to treat as a normal debt letter?

KeithP

I would suggest to you that it may well be on GS notepaper, but the fact that it proposes you pay DRP gives the game away.

If it really was a LBC then DRP would not feature in it at all.

As I said, this is explained in post #4 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread.

BarraDisciple

KeithP wrote: »

If you are minded to reply as if it were a LBC, then post #2 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread not only offers guidance, but also links to sample robust responses.

Yeah I read that one and appealed to CPM directly.

Only thought it was a LBC but thanks for clarifying that it isn't .

Would it make sense to start drafting my defence in your opinion?

Redx

if the ref starts with a 1 its GLADRAGS, more likely its DRP letter starting with a 3 or higher even though the letterhead etc says its gladrags , so IGNORE

if you get a formal LBC from Gladrags it shoyuld start with a ref starting with a 1

yes start to prepare any LBC rebuttal , and/or a defence , by looking at gladrags cases in post #2 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread

get ahead of the game, dont just react to what is posted

The_Deep

This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for minor breaches of contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors.

Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, and another company have already been named and shamed, as has Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each year). They lose most of them, and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct

Hospital car parks and residential complex tickets have been especially mentioned.

The problem has become so rampant that MPs have agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers. Watch the video of the Second Reading in the HofC recently.

http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2f0384f2-eba5-4fff-ab07-cf24b6a22918?in=12:49:41

and complain in the most robust terms to your MP. With a fair wind they will be out of business by Christmas.

Umkomaas

Write to Gladstones and ask them to confirm that the letter you've received is from them, because you've read so many internet cases where it appears a debt collector has copied their letterhead and are trying to con people into believing that the letter emanates from Gladstones.

Ask them if they are intending to take legal action against those who appear to have stolen their letterhead?

Ask if they'd like you to refer the matter to your MP to add some weight to any investigation they are instigating?

Bet you don't get a reply! But you must take the fight to them, don't be cowed in your corner, get assertive and take control of this, otherwise they'll collectively grind you into the dust.

nosferatu1001

Send them the pcn ref. Not the drp ref
They'll respond saying they've no idea what you're talking about. Proving they never sent the letter. Screws them if the ppc tries to take them on...

BarraDisciple

Redx wrote: »

if the ref starts with a 1 its GLADRAGS, more likely its DRP letter starting with a 3 or higher even though the letterhead etc says its gladrags , so IGNORE

if you get a formal LBC from Gladrags it shoyuld start with a ref starting with a 1

yes start to prepare any LBC rebuttal , and/or a defence , by looking at gladrags cases in post #2 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread

get ahead of the game, dont just react to what is posted

It starts with a 4 so it shouldn't be them. Thanks for that and for the ref to the Newbies thread. I need to take some time to read it extensively, apologies if some questions sound silly but it's reassuring to hear it from other people too.

@TheDeep @Umkomaas @nosferatu1001 thank you so much, I will indeed write to them!
I won't shy away from being proactive on this. Thank you.

Umkomaas

It starts with a 4 so it shouldn't be them.

A #4 is a DRP reference number. A real Gladstones reference commences #1.