Next steps...

another_mac

So... back in June the driver of a vehicle received a PCN from PPS London when parked is a residential area on a single yellow line temporerilly due to multiple factors.

1) could not leave the parking area due to vans blocking the exit (images to support)
2) resident in said area and needed to tend to their infant

The vehicle was issued with an on screen PCN as there was signage stated this would contravene to the private parking rules. As there was no option to park elsewhere an appeal to the issuer was made on the grounds of the above, in addition to the fact that the PCN stated I was parked on double yellow lines in addition to the address being a different street as well as postcode, although on the same site - which the images contradict.

As you can guess the issuer rejected the appeal, and then so did POPLA.

The driver is adamant that the issuing ticket was incorrect therefore unenforceable, in addition to the circumstances therefore proceeded to not respond.

Now a letter has arrived from DRP with a view of trace and enforcement - which they are intending to follow the advice already here.

The question they have is, are they pursuing the correct course? what would be the next steps? DRP have the correct address as since the offence the driver has moved - all records are correct apart from the PCN issuer.

Thoughts Welcome

Coupon-mad

Next steps...

I do hate that phrase, sorry. Just me, I guess, sounds like teaching a kid to walk!

And we don't need any DRP threads anyway, as this is covered in the NEWBIES FAQS post #4 all about 'ignoring the debt collector' stage.

However:

DRP have the correct address as since the offence the driver has moved

The advice is to write once to the parking firm's Data Protection Officer (DPO), NOT to appeal again, but merely to tell them to rectify their data to the new address they traced, which is your correct address 'for service' and to ERASE the old address from their records.

That stops them taking the silence to be a reason to later revert to the old address and maybe try a stealth CCJ behind your back in a couple of years. They can't do that, if you send their DPO an 'erasure notice' about the old address.

Yes I know DRP have the right address now but you cannot assume...you cannot leave the old one un-erased!

You can usually find a DPO email, or a 'data concerns' form, by looking on the PPC's PRIVACY webpage.

another_mac

Thank you, I will send the dpo an erasure and correction note.

It’s interesting how the ppc issuers webpages privacy page doesn’t link anywhere... but sent a note to them anyway.

Thanks again.

another_mac

After three letters from DRP, with the third from a different subsidiary of DRP lowering the amount asked for?! I now have another letter, but this time from Moorcroft Group, although this time generic asking me or the recipient to contact them on a personal matter.

Do I assume the same advice?

The_Deep

The question they have is, are they pursuing the correct course?

Do you mean "I have"? They think so, we disagree, we think that this is a scam, and Parliament agree with us. as it is their will that these scammers, (very often former clampers), be put out of business.

Hopefully that will take place in the near future. The Bill has passed through the HOC without hitch, and goes to the Lords soon. In the meantime involve your MP, the poor dears are buckling under the weight of complaints about these scammers.

This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for minor breaches of alleged contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors. Is has been suggested by an MP that some of these companies may have connections to organised crime.

Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, (especially Smart}, and others have already been named and shamed in the House of Commons as have Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each week), hospital car parks and residential complex tickets have been especially mentioned. They lose most of them, and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct

The problem has become so widespread that MPs have agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers.

Sir Greg Knight's Private Members Bill to curb the excesses, and perhaps close down, some of these companies passed its Third Reading in late November, and, with a fair wind, will become Law next year.

All three readings are available to watch on the internet, (some 6-7 hours), and published in Hansard. MPs have an extremely low opinion of the industry. Many are complaining that they are becoming overwhelmed by complaints from members of the public. Add to their burden, complain in the most robust terms about the scammers.

Parkingfines

another_mac wrote: »

After three letters from DRP, with the third from a different subsidiary of DRP lowering the amount asked for?! I now have another letter, but this time from Moorcroft Group, although this time generic asking me or the recipient to contact them on a personal matter.

Do I assume the same advice?

Moorcroft dont normally deal with parking debts, they are so spineless and powerless that you can ignore them. DONT be alarmed if you get a letter saying they will send some round to your house to discuss the "debt" its standard for them, if you do you can either ignore it or write back removing any implied right of access

beamerguy

As Parking fines says above.

The only time they can door knock if they are bailiffs instructed by the court
You case is only at idiot debt collector stage

You are protected by law ...
The Administration of Justice Act
You have the right to tell them that no permission is given by you
to call at the address and should they do so, the police will be called to remove them

This happened a lot in the big bank scam and once the debt collector realised you knew the law, they stopped their silly threats

Parkingfines

beamerguy wrote: »

As Parking fines says above.

The only time they can door knock if they are bailiffs instructed by the court
You case is only at idiot debt collector stage

You are protected by law ...
The Administration of Justice Act
You have the right to tell them that no permission is given by you
to call at the address and should they do so, the police will be called to remove them

This happened a lot in the big bank scam and once the debt collector realised you knew the law, they stopped their silly threats

It is probably not known but Moorcroft are one of the few DCA's in this country that employ field agents so its quite common for them to knock on peoples door. However they are harmless and a polite go away works with them

They are one of the easier DCA's to deal with.

beamerguy

Parkingfines wrote: »

It is probably not known but Moorcroft are one of the few DCA's in this country that employ field agents so its quite common for them to knock on peoples door. However they are harmless and a polite go away works with them

They are one of the easier DCA's to deal with.

Trouble is when they do go knocking people don't know they are harmless

Will add to this thread that these harmless nomads ...to ignore
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/74439905#Comment_74439905

another_mac

Thank you all, I’ll keep you updated.

The_Deep

I have received a visit from a TVL chappie in one of my properties, I gave him the address of my former tenant, (probably in breach of the DPA, but he owed money everywhere), and he toddled off quite happily.

However, I have received several aggressive and threatening letters from TVL, em, so many that I had to complain to the head honcho and issued a withdrawal of implied access letter on all my properties. It worked, no more threats for years.