UCS demand - help needed please!

XlandRC

Help from experts please!
I received a PCN from Parking Control Solutions after I parked outside a shop for 3 minutes, the shop was at the start of a private road but I parked where I believed to be customer parking for 3 minutes. I wrote back on a MSE template but heard nothing back, I then received a demand from UCS debt recovery. I wrote to the BPA but my reply stated that there is no evidence that there has been a breach in their code and that since my letter to PCS wasn't sent by recorded delivery it cannot be assumed that the letter was sent. I've now received another letter from UCS - a recommendation of legal action asking for £160 and warning of CCJ's and additional costs on legal action. I don't know what to do from here! I will be grateful for any advice

Redx

nothing else you can do seeing as its debt collectors chasing you, IGNORE them like post #4 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread tells you to do

only PCS can issue an MCOL so come back if they issue an LBC or MCOL within 6 years

pity you did not get a free certificate of posting from the P O Counter

there was never any need for "signed for", just a free cert of posting is sufficient

and edit your post above

the DRIVER may have been parked up on the day , no "ME , MYSELF & I"

Coupon-mad

'Ignore the debt collector' stage is fully explained in the NEWBIES thread post #4.

NO-ONE rings them. NO-ONE is stupid enough to pay.

XlandRC

Without sounding ignorant what is a LBC or an MCOL? In all correspondence I referred to the driver rather than myself, I should have got proof of posting - my mistake. Can anyone comment how likely it is that this will be taken to court and if it does what's the likely outcome? Would I be able to offer to pay just the original parking fine and would I be responsible for court costs? It's causing me loads of stress! Thanks in advance for any advice!

Le_Kirk

XlandRC wrote: »

Without sounding ignorant what is a LBC or an MCOL?

Back to the NEWBIE sticky post where all the acronyms are explained.

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 House of Commons recently

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

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

Coupon-mad

Can anyone comment how likely it is that this will be taken to court

Highly unlikely from that little firm, but you will know the exact likelihood if you simply read the NEWBIES thread. In the second post I tell newbies how to view the BMPA/PADI webpages to see how often any named PPC goes to court.

It's already there waiting for you to calm down and read it.

They probably used self ticketing at that site, some local 'Norris Cole' idiot:

http://parkingcontrolsolutions.co.uk/self-ticketing

and if it does what's the likely outcome?

We see 99% of people report a win. Worst case, you lose and pay about £175.

Would I be able to offer to pay just the original parking fine

Nope, and it's not a parking fine.

and would I be responsible for court costs?

Only to the tune of about fifty quid on top, if you were one of the 1% who lose.

No CCJ, no effect on credit rating and you'd have 30 days to pay if you were one of the few who lose, once they have found this forum. Really no big deal.

XlandRC

Thanks for all the advice - I've read the newbies thread and it's great to know that even if this does go to court I can still fight it! I've now received a letter from CSB Solicitors to prepare for possible legal proceedings, it actually says that a judgement could be registered - is this possible as from the above advice I assumed not! It says it could remain for 6 years.. Thanks again guys!

XlandRC

And also the letter suggests to put 'proposals in respect of this debt in writing' - should I respond?

beamerguy

XlandRC wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice - I've read the newbies thread and it's great to know that even if this does go to court I can still fight it! I've now received a letter from CSB Solicitors to prepare for possible legal proceedings, it actually says that a judgement could be registered - is this possible as from the above advice I assumed not! It says it could remain for 6 years.. Thanks again guys!

CSB are also debt collectors

Just like all these bods involved in the parking scam, they
are trying to scare you.

to prepare for possible legal proceedings

It is CBS who must prepare as they are required to
send you an LBA first which you can respond to, giving
you 30 days to reply ... that is if they act as a solicitor
but they run a high risk of being whooped in court

Clearly CBS with their threats don't actually know how
it works.

Let us tell them
HOW YOU CAN GET A CCJ (County Court Judgement)

1: They must firstly take you to court
2: You have the opportunity to defend
3: A judge will rule who is the winner
4: If you lose (doubtful), the judge will make
an order for you to pay (normally with 28 days)
5: If you ignore the court and do not pay, then
you will get a CCJ
6: However if you do pay as the court orders,
that is it ...... NO CCJ .. NO ENTRIES ON YOUR
CREDIT FILE

DANGER POINT .... If you ignore official claims from
Northampton

And also the letter suggests to put 'proposals in respect of this debt in writing' - should I respond?

Why would you talk to powerless debt collectors ????

Umkomaas

Read all about them!

https://www.csblaw.co.uk/debt-recovery-law/