Premier Park no notice issued but first reminder sent 2 months later

Chi-me

We have been sent a first reminder notice for an alleged parking violation in the post. We have never had a ticket on the windscreen or a letter in the post before this letter today. The alleged issue was 30th August 12:46.

We have wracked our brains and cannot think how we didn't pay, it's a shopping centre we regularly use and always pay at the meter. However, with proof we would accept maybe this once we were distracted and failed to pay.

On checking bank statements we can't tally any spending in the centre that day either.

A few initial questions.

1. Can they leave it 2 months and then demand £100 as a 'first reminder' when we didn't know we had breached the rules and had no proof of the violation sent to us or a windscreen ticket?

2. Should I appeal, which in my mind suggests acceptance of the parking violation?

3. If not appealing this notice how should I approach bringing up the lack of prior notice or information on the day they suggest we didn't pay.

Sorry if this sounds naive, we are always careful to pay parking fees and are quite shocked. Hubby says leave it, they are trying it on but I'm anxious as they are under the BPA code of conduct according to the letter.

I would be grateful for any input from anybody who knows how to tackle this issue.

KeithP

Chi-me wrote: »

I would be grateful for any input from anybody who knows how to tackle this issue.

I can help with that.

Read the first post in the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread.

Send the blue text appeal to the parking company.

Send it without change - no additions or alterations necessary.

Send it as the vehicle's keeper.

Coupon-mad

We have wracked our brains and cannot think how we didn't pay, it's a shopping centre we regularly use and always pay at the meter. However, with proof we would accept maybe this once we were distracted and failed to pay.

I reckon you did pay.

I'd bet the scam is they say you keyed in the VRN one digit wrong, IMHO probably a scam caused by their machine.

On checking bank statements we can't tally any spending in the centre that day either.

You realise the bank transaction would be showing 1 or 2 working days later?

Can they leave it 2 months and then demand £100 as a 'first reminder' when we didn't know we had breached the rules and had no proof of the violation sent to us or a windscreen ticket?

Private parking firms do what they like & make it up as they go along, it's a scam but not to be ignored, as these firms sue people (we win, though).

You do need to simply follow the NEWBIES thread advice, but I would ALSO send a separate SAR to PP's Data Protection Officer asking for all VRNs/payments from ALL machines at that site, an original VRN/payments list from within an hour around the arrival time. State that they may redact the VRNs so only the numbers or only the letters show, to protect any personal data that's not your own, but that they may NOT refuse, or you will report them immediately to the Information Commissioner for not replying properly to a SAR.

Add that, in the interests of open dealing and the DPA principles, you require the DPO to tell you what data they've processed and what human decisions were made before issuing the PCN, and why it was issued, and to highlight from the data, whether the charge arose due to a wrong VRN due to a faulty machine.

You need to do that NOW at the same point as appealing but WITHOUT telling them who was driving, even if they write and ask.

No saying ''I want to see your data because I am sure I paid'' NONONO. No ''because'' no talking about any details, just what data you want, like an order.

DPO email is here (this is ONLY for the SAR, not for the appeal). DO NOT USE POST:

http://premierpark.co.uk/privacy-policy/

HTH

Chi-me

Thank you both for your time and trouble. I tried reading the newbies post but was on my phone so was going googly eyed squinting at the tiny text. I will look at my laptop later and send the letter. It states in the letter that "... it (the car) was parked in a manner whereby the driver became liable for a parking charge at (shopping centre)" We cannot recall who was driving, me, hubby or our son, so they need to evidence who drove it and failed to park.

Feeling empowered now ��

waamo

Who was driving is largely irrelevant. Appeals are best done as the Registered Keeper. Do not name, or even hint at, who was driving.

When you have read the Newbies thread it will become clear why.

Chi-me

Thank you, been trawling through newbie page, wow!

I'm going to do what coupon-mad says and request SAR and appeal this weekend.

I will have a 're read though, I am sure they fall foul of the quoted (in my letter) S4 Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 as we had no window sticker and no notification within 14 days.

They state a time of parking, let's say 13:32, not a 'period' then say reason for PCN issued 'whole period of parking not paid for' as I say, more reading required. Brilliant resource this forum. :T

Coupon-mad

I will have a 're read though, I am sure they fall foul of the quoted (in my letter) S4 Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 as we had no window sticker and no notification within 14 days.

Really? PP are not normally late with their NTK? Ah, I see you claim it wasn't received - trouble is, you can't prove a negative.

But send that SAR to get all letters & all data from the machine. It'll be elucidating.

Chi-me

Hi, so I sent the letter and they said they wouldn't let me appeal at the late date. It was sent in time. Then they issued a final reminder which, due to bereavement, I didn't pay £115 now. I got scared and went to pay online and it's apparently with debt collectors!