Notice from debt collectors but no PCN received

Platypus66

Hi, I'm new to posting but I've used the forum before for advice and deals etc.


I've read a lot of the threads about parking fines but I'm still not sure where to start with my own.


At the end of January I received a letter from a debt collector telling me the case had been passed to them and I now owed £170.


Included in the letter are some details (inc. their client (the parking firm), VRM, date and location). I received a second letter at the beginning of Feb telling me the 'account' would be passed to solicitors. On 13th Feb I emailed them asking them to pause proceedings to allow me to look in to this as I had no prior knowledge. Yesterday, they emailed me to tell me the case has been passed to a case of solicitors to resolve (with an additional fee of £10).


I know the car park in question, I have no idea if I was there or not (it was 18th December), it's possible as it's near somewhere I frequent and leave my car for 5-10 minutes.


Should I contact the parking company to ask for further information? Or wait and see what the solicitors say? Take photographs of the car park?


The bottom line for me is I don't have £170. And this correspondence makes me feel anxious. I'd really appreciate some support from this forum.


Thanks so much.


PS If my post seems vague, it's because I'm cautious to share too many details.

onlyfoolsandparking

Welcome to the forum, the help available on here is second to none. You say you have read a lot of the threads and are still unsure what to do. I suggest more reading is necessary as 99% of the answers ANYBODY is looking for are here.


First thing you should do is send the parking scammer a SAR. Secondly ignore all debt begging letters, they are powerless scum who prey on people who don't do their homework regarding PCN,s don't be a victim of their scam.


There's no issue posting details on here about which particular PPC is trying to scam you so long as you don't use VRN, your address and DO NOT identify who was driving unless instructed to by the more experienced regulars.


And finally there's much to be gained by being on this forum so as said earlier carry on reading as much as possible or until you get your head around the basics.

ShakeItOff

Have you read the NEWBIES post? If that was the first you has heard, try submitting the template appeal in Post 1 (blue text).

It is helpful if you can tell us who the parking company is.

The other thing you may wish to consider is making a subject access request to the parking company (template in the NEWBIES thread). This will show you what they have on record for you.

If they are already threatening with their solicitors, check out Post 2 in the NEWBIES thread to see what a letter before claim looks like.

Lastly, consider complaining to the landowner or shop, as they may be able to cancel it with the PPC. Also, write a complaint to your MP.

It feels like a scarier process than it actually is, promise! Just take the time to really read through the NEWBIES post and advice shared on your thread.

Platypus66

Thanks so much ShakeItOff. I have read the NEWBIES thread but thought the letters were to the parking company so I'll re-visit those.


The company is One Parking Solution.


I realise that I am possibly more scared than others hence my plea for help.

Platypus66

Thanks also OnlyFoolsAndParking, I appreciate your support.


I'll re-read and look out for SAR.

Coupon-mad

I realise that I am possibly more scared than others

You're not, believe us, we see this all the time.

Email them (OPS, not the stupid debt firm) a SAR, as advised. The second post of the NEWBIES thread shows you a SAR template.

it's possible as it's near somewhere I frequent and leave my car for 5-10 minutes.

Sounds familiar for OPS - they issue PCNs within minutes, using CCTV (unusually, not ANPR). A scam, and against the BPA Code of Practice - you can report them to the BPA if the SAR discloses a PCN issued within minutes when you were merely 'reading the signs' (you know you were...).

Stop being scared of time wasting scum.

Platypus66

Thanks Coupon-mad, I appreciate you taking the time to respond.


I received a letter from the solicitors but I don't think it's a Letter Before Claim as it asks me to pay (even more money) within the next 14 days and there are no reply forms.


In terms of OPS being PoFA compliant, I didn't have a notice on my windscreen and haven't received a letter.


The land is slightly different to many cases on here as it isn't a car park for a hospital/shop etc and there are no ticket machines. I'll try and find out who the land owner is.


Apparently a permit is required (in advance) to be able to park there. I took a chance and got unlucky. I think that's part of why I feel so frightened that I feel as though it was my fault. Anyway, I'm still going to try and reject it.


I don't think they have CCTV, I think an attendant periodically checks the area.

Coupon-mad

In terms of OPS being PoFA compliant, I didn't have a notice on my windscreen and haven't received a letter.

I don't think they have CCTV, I think an attendant periodically checks the area.

Instead of guessing, do a SAR. Always a good plan, gets your questions answered, shows you their hand, and makes the scammers work, for a change.

And what photos did you see when you logged in and pretended to pay? I've done loads of OPS cases and you can log in to see it all by pretending you will pay (don't!).