OPC Parking Fine new letter

rozza92

Back in 2013/2014 I apparently got some parking tickets (5 or 6 I think) for parking in an area by where I used to work. These were from OPC and after lots of advice and research I was told simply to ignore the letter as they were a private firm who had been investigated on watchdog and many others.

I have had a few reminder letters over the years since then but the letter never changed and then they stopped. I have since been out of the country regularly and also moved address. Now 4 years on I have just received some more letters from OPC which are different from previous ones I have had and they have also come to my new address (How did they get this as I haven't had a car registered at this address or my driving licence yet?).

The new letters say:

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DEMAND FOR UNPAID PRIVATE PARKING CHARGE (Photographic evidence held)

We write in reference to our letter dated 26/02/18. Please be reminded that you are now in default of your obligation to pay the fixed fee of £100 with regards to this unpaid private parking charge.

Please be reminded that this charge has been due since xx/xx/xxxx. You have failed to pay the fee within the allocated timeframe set on the original ticket. Please be aware that unless payment is received within 7 days of this letter we will have no alternative but to instruct our solicitor to commence legal proceedings to obtain this debt as per our right to do so.

If you query your liability with regards to this charge you must ensure that you write to us at ..................... within the 7 days allocated from the date of this letter to discuss your appeal options.

Payments must be made by cheque payable to OPC at PO Box................................... or by credit or debit card via phone on .........................

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Now I did not receive any letter from them that they mention was dated the 26/2/18. Is this just a way to scare me into paying or should I listen and pay the fines?

Any insight would be much appreciated, I have read though the FAQs and it didn't really make it any clearer for me?

Coupon-mad

just received some more letters from OPC which are different from previous ones I have had and they have also come to my new address (How did they get this as I haven't had a car registered at this address or my driving licence yet?).

They have used a tracing agent, or maybe found you online on Social Media.

Doesn't this thread from the other day answer your queries?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5818636

I found it in half a second by searching the forum for 'OPC'. Douglas Harris is not worth worrying about. Come back if they try a doomed claim!

rozza92

I don't know how I missed that one when I was looking through the forum but yes that's covered my subject pretty much.

So it is best to ignore the letters for now then Instead of replying with anything or would this just make matters worse?

Coupon-mad

I would ignore that one, it's just another sad threatogram and not a Letter before Claim.

Umkomaas

Coupon-mad wrote: »

I would ignore that one, it's just another sad threatogram and not a Letter before Claim.

I think Douglas is much more used to receiving court proceedings than issuing them.

Will he really relish the prospect of another visit to court?

The_Deep

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5TGkp6NDfD2xRPcG3xYNmWJ/opc-breaking-bpa-law

I believe that they also came a cropper to the tune of over£20,000 some years ago when the !!!!ed with the wrong marine.

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.