AM Parking Service LTD Residential Car Park

a1f23g4h

Hi All,
I have read through all the advice on the newbies page and did not think I could find an answer to my situation and a way to approach it. I just need to know whether I should follow the instructions as normal or if I should alter my strategy considering my circumstances.

Umming and arring about what to do has made me put off dealing with it for the past few months so I thought I would bite the bullet and post. I would appreciate any help or guidance on the matter.

My case is the same as every other in that, I was issued a PCN then eventually sent a NTK and letters from DRP and now Gladstones. The only difference is the PCN's were issued when I was meant to be on a "database" of AM Parking Services Ltd for a residential car park as I waited for a replacement permit for a lost one. I have two PCNs and the first time I was told I would get put back on the system and they would resend a permit and then I received another PCN and was told the same thing. Then low and behold I stated to be chased for payment of them. A lot of the residents have had the same issues and just have not paid them but I am not sure what to do.

I have sent one letter and email (outside "their" appeal window) explaining the situation to AM Parking Services LTD which they have not replied to, and I have also sent a letter to DRP asking them to refer the matter back to their client and also to stop contacting me.

Thanks for any help and guidance in advance.

Coupon-mad

The only difference is the PCN's were issued when I was meant to be on a "database" of AM Parking Services Ltd for a residential car park as I waited for a replacement permit for a lost one.

Well that sounds like misuse of data, or unfairly using data when their own database should have had your car exempted. Can you prove that was the agreement?

So, let's start with you applying by letter or email for a SAR (Google it) to AM Parking Services Ltd, for all records held and all communications and database records, about you and about your vehicle. If they drag their heels and try to charge you a tenner, wait till May 25th when GDPR comes in and do a free SAR then, which gets you all the records held (as long as they divulge them, which they must).

Then, use whatever they give you as evidence to make a formal ICO complaint online about them for mishandling your data, giving them all the evidence about the white list your VRN was supposed to be on, and yet the company used your VRN data to chase you for money instead.

This sort of thing will lead the start of a 'SAR-bomb' campaign, the next new tactic here.

Perfectly valid for consumers to do this. Time to fight back and tie these scum firms up in SARs and the GDPR. Mainly aimed at IPC firms, I suggest, because at least the BPA offer POPLA, whereas the IPC offer consumers nothing worth trying.

But in fact anyone scammed should send a SAR to the guilty company. Tie them up in GDPR stuff.

a1f23g4h

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Well that sounds like misuse of data, or unfairly using data when their own database should have had your car exempted. Can you prove that was the agreement?

So, let's start with you applying by letter or email for a SAR (Google it) to AM Parking Services Ltd, for all records held and all communications and database records, about you and about your vehicle. If they drag their heels and try to charge you a tenner, wait till May 25th when GDPR comes in and do a free SAR then, which gets you all the records held (as long as they divulge them, which they must).

Then, use whatever they give you as evidence to make a formal ICO complaint online about them for mishandling your data, giving them all the evidence about the white list your VRN was supposed to be on, and yet the company used your VRN data to chase you for money instead.

This sort of thing will lead the start of a 'SAR-bomb' campaign, the next new tactic here.

Perfectly valid for consumers to do this. Time to fight back and tie these scum firms up in SARs and the GDPR. Mainly aimed at IPC firms, I suggest, because at least the BPA offer POPLA, whereas the IPC offer consumers nothing worth trying.

But in fact anyone scammed should send a SAR to the guilty company. Tie them up in GDPR stuff.

Coupon-mad!! Thanks so much for commenting back. You do a lot of hard work on this forum so just wanted to say thanks!!

RE your post:

I have an ICO letter prepped as I was thinking about this course of action when they did not reply to me.

I have no proof of the agreement. They just said it on the phone when I originally lost my permit. They said that I would be on a database so wouldn't receive a PCN. Can I phone them up and ask innocently now and record the phone call or do this in an email?

If I cannot prove that this was the agreement, would you still suggest the same course of action?

Coupon-mad

I would still suggest the ICO complaint (online) even if you cannot prove the conversation.

Le_Kirk

a1f23g4h wrote: »

Can I phone them up and ask innocently now and record the phone call or do this in an email?

You cannot record a phone conversation unless you tell the other party that you are doing it.

nosferatu1001

You CAN do so, but youc annot use it in its recorded form. You can still produce a transcript.

If you call a call centre with the usual "may be recorded", no further notice is needed as either side can now record the call.

a1f23g4h

So could I email and ask what their policy is if this were to happen, and use that of evidence of the policy/agreement?

a1f23g4h

Coupon-mad wrote: »

I would still suggest the ICO complaint (online) even if you cannot prove the conversation.

I shall get on to it straight away. Should I worry about appealing and writing more letters as you advise in the newbies thread?

Coupon-mad

IMHO, any appeals to an IPC firm are pointless. If you get a LBC or claim, you will have to reply.

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.

a1f23g4h

Hi Coupon Mad, thanks for the advice. I can see that AM Parking Services LTD are on the BPA website as an approved operator. Do you still suggest the same course of action considering they are part of the BPA and not with the IPC?