Minster Baywatch - Unpaid charge

Cpops

Hiya

Apologies for creating a new thread. I have read the newbies part but am struggling, and a little overwhelmed, with all the acronyms and am a little panicked about receiving this so soon after Christmas.

It relates to a demand for an unpaid charge from Minster Baywatch for a private car park in Hull. I did use the car park. I paid - I can remember as I was at the hairdressers and I rushed in to borrow some change to pay and was literally at the machine within a couple of minutes of parking up. It is one of those machines you put your reg plate in. I do not have the original ticket. My only thought is I’ve either entered the reg
Plate incorrectly or my husbands reg plate by mistake. I always pay for three hours and was well within that according to the time in / out on the letter. There was no fine on the car - it has arrived in the post today for the incident on the 22/11

My frustration is that the letter implies they have already contacted me offering an initial lower amount but since I have not made a payment this has increased to £155. I simply cannot afford this . What’s more I know I paid so paying anything is frustrating. But I don’t want court action either.

Can I ask any advice? I understand that I should not contact the company or let them know I was driving. But how do I contest this being the second letter when it wasn’t or that I haven’t paid when I have (but have no physical proof?)

Any help would be much appreciated (and thankyou in advance)

The_Deep

Many judges regard wrong/missing VRNs as a very trifling matter,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_minimis

and the PPC would probably struggle in court, especially if you swear/prove that you paid the fee. However, it is likely that they would win a PoPLA appeal so prepare yourself for that eventuality.

In the meantime, complain to your MP.

It is the will of Parliament that these scammers 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. Read this one which I wrote earlier

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.

Cpops

Thankyou The Deep.

Would you suggest i contest with the company or sit tight for a while and complain to my MP?

Le_Kirk

Cpops wrote: »

Would you suggest i contest with the company or sit tight for a while and complain to my MP?

If you read the NEWBIE section, first page of the forum, third post down, you will find an appeal written in BLUE text. Send that as KEEPER without adding, deleting or modifying the text.

Redx

from now on , keep your paid for receipts for several months

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/team-blog/2017/05/throwing-pay-display-ticket-away-use-cost-100/

also send MB a SAR and ask for PDT details for similar VRM to your 2 vehicles , for say an hour before the ticket purchase to an hour afterwards , getting them to check for the same or similar details, incorrect VRM entry is the most likely issue here, ask for copies of the NTK etc as well

and appeal as KEEPER using that blue text template as mentioned earlier

the ability to pay (or not) has no relevance in these matters, its a common complaint that will fall on deaf ears , even unemployed homeless people get fined if they break the law or rules

Cpops

Thankyou Red x. For the SAR Request would This be in a separate email / letter to MB or with the blue text appeal?

Redx

separate email to the DPO at MB (for the SAR)

the BLUE TEXT appeal goes to their appeals department

SO DATA PROTECTION TO DATA PROTECTION OFFICE

& KEEPER APPEAL TO APPEALS OFFICE

its as simple as that

The_Deep

If you have paid tell them so, if they do not believe you let them take you to court where a judge will decide OTBOP who is lying, a fine upstanding citizen or a bottom feeding solicitors clerk.