Random Gladstones Text Message

peter_the_piper

When was the V5 brought up to date? Could there have been a ticket sent to the previous address in the meantime?

waamo

Gladstones would. Why not ring them and ask what it's about? It may well be a wrong number they are trying. If it is for you then you need to inform them of your correct address as they clearly intend issuing court papers:

facade

Gladstones are "experts" at recovering small debts.

I believe that in order to small claims you, they have to contact you first- hence a letter before action, setting out what you "owe".


I'm not sure if a text would count instead, if it does and you ignore it you might get court papers and you MUST respond denying owing any money or the court will simply award them the money.

waamo

A text won't count but if they have sent a Letter Before Claim to the last known address (which may be an old one) it will very much count.

Razoo

mrrobinson88 wrote: »

I randomly received a text from Gladstones, of which I have never heard of them before, nor had correspondence from them (ever).

The text reads as follows:

Due: £160.00
You have not responded to our Pre-Action Letter. Please visit !!!!!!/gsl-pay or call 01565 755088 to avoid court action. Quote Ref: xxxxx-xxxxx

Is this a scam? What should I do? Any advice??

It doesn't look like a scam - Gladstone's telephone number is 01565 755 088, although their so-called payment hotline is usually given as 0333 0230 049.

Gladstones Solicitors Ltd., The Terrace, High Legh Park Golf Club, Warrington Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6AA, are solicitors of doubtful integrity.

Amongst other things, they offer their debt recovery services to parasitical parking companies such as Parking & Property Management Ltd., 12th Floor Ocean House, The Ring, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1AX.

Gladstone's tactics include sending out unsigned, computer-generated letters threatening court action against anyone unfortunate enough to be targeted by a money-grubbing parking company, such as Parking & Property Management Ltd. Their joint intention is to intimidate victims of their unjust parking charges into paying their extortionate fines, just to make the problem go away. Often their tactics succeed.

Parking & Property Management Ltd. are quite fond of 'fining' people for parking in their own parking space, and Gladstone's are happy to add on their own costs and relentlessly pursue such matters. It's all about the money. The 'fine' is usually £100, and Gladstones add on £60 for their initial involvement.

If you are sure you have never committed some unforgivable parking sin (such as parking in your own parking space in accordance with your lease), then I would simply ignore the text message. It's quite likely that Gladstone's have used the wrong mobile phone number, or else they are on a fishing expedition, which is why they gave their main telephone number, rather than their payment hotline telephone number.

If you make contact, Gladstones will surely give you a bad time, guilty or not.

Have a look at:

https://www.parkingcowboys.co.uk/gladstones-solicitors/
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Razoo

neilmcl

It may well have the correct telephone number on it but a lot of these so-called phishing/smishing attempts rely on the fact that a number of people will click on the link rather than calling the number. I still believe it to be a scam but the easiest thing to do is contact Gladstones directly and check.

Razoo

neilmcl wrote: »

It may well have the correct telephone number on it but a lot of these so-called phishing/smishing attempts rely on the fact that a number of people will click on the link rather than calling the number. I still believe it to be a scam but the easiest thing to do is contact Gladstones directly and check.

In the circumstances, I think head below the parapet and ignore the text message.

Let Gladstones do the leg work, if the message is genuine. Make them earn their £60 cut.

There's no point in the OP phoning Gladstones and thereby giving them his details at this stage, especially considering the complete absence of any pertinent details or documentation regarding the nature or source of the claim.

I wouldn't go anywhere near the link in the text message.

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Razoo

waamo

I wouldn't ignore it. If it is genuine there is an extremely high possibility court papers are on their way. The question is where to?

If it's to an old address the op could end up having to get a set aside at a cost of £255 and a lot of hassle.

One phone call could sort all this out.

twhitehousescat

gladstones in tere shambolic way have simply sent the TXT to the wrong number

jeff_flambino

Sorry to butt in on this thread but I've just noticed a £160 charge from gladstones on my Halifax clarity card. As far as I'm aware I've not parked anywhere i shouldn't, have recieved no text or email, have moved recently but have all mail redirected and haven't given that credit card or to anyone... Does anyone know where I stand before i give these cowboys a ring??

Thanks