Paid fine now being chased for a further £180

Splitzafrenic

I parked in a car park to do a delivery to a business within the car park. Usually I am in and out so don't buy a ticket, for 2yrs that worked fine. Until in late Feb last year, the customer had a problem, kept me talking, i was 15 or 20mins. Couple of days later I get a fine in the post. I challenged it, sent a copy of the customers delivery note / invoice. I was unsuccessful. I therefore paid the reduced rate of £56. I sent the cheque on 9th April. I do not recall any further communication.

I received a letter on 25th Feb, letter dated 19th Feb 2019 saying "despite our various communication your debt remains outstanding
Outstanding debt £180 Last payment of £56 received on 17/7/18.
Unless payment is received in full within 14-days we will unfortunately be left with no alternative but to instruct our legal department to commence proceedings."

They are looking to take a judgment out against me.

This didn't make sense, I called my bank, got an image of my cheque. It was dated by me on 9/4/18, but not presented until 17/7/18.......very odd.

I have written back to them asking them to address the following points;
What various communications? I haven't seen anything in the best part of a year. Please send evidence.
How come a cheque i sent in good faith to pay my fine in April wasn't presented until July?
Why in a matter such as this, with very tight deadlines do Civil Enforcement Ltd think its ok to send this letter second class loosing me 5 days out of my 14 days.

I sent the letter to them on Wednesday last week, recorded delivery. Todays post has been and gone, still no reply. Their 14 days from date of issue will be up tomorrow.

I have tried to phone them, to speak in person, but the only phone number Civil Enforcement provide is an automated payment line with no chance of speaking to a human being.

Anyone got any idea what i can do next? I really don't want to pay the £180 as I feel it is being claimed under false pretences, but the true cost of a CCJ against me might be more than £180.

Any help to bring this to a successful close would be greatly appreciated.

Fruitcake

It is not a fine.

You should have appealed the original PCN not paid the scammers. This site has all the information you needed on how to do this.

Complain to the BPA that you paid the scammers with proof from the bank. It's their fault if they didn't cash the cheque. Send the scammers a copy of the complaint.

Complain to your MP about this unregulated scam.

The_Deep

Also complain to your MP, they are trying to scam you.

This is an entirely unregulated inustry 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 become so widespread that MPs agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers. Hopefully, this will become law by Easter .

Splitzafrenic

Thank you for taking the time to reply.
My neighbour just popped in, our Postman must have got in a pickle this morning. Good news Civil Enforcement have written back to say
" We refer to your recent correspondence. The above parking charge notice has been paid in full and settled"
PHEW!
However in light of what you guys have said I think I will still send copies to my MP to help support the push to stop these scammers.
Thanks again

waamo

This happens all the time. Paying the "discounted" rate often fails for some reason and it's always the payers fault. It happens so often it's known as "the mythical discount".

As above complain to the BPA and your MP. Parliament is looking closely at these scams with an aim to curb them.

The BPA will Claim it's all your fault but making your position clear may dissuade a court claim.

Edit to say you beat me to it. Forget the BPA but do complain to your MP.

beamerguy

Splitzafrenic wrote: »

Thank you for taking the time to reply.
My neighbour just popped in, our Postman must have got in a pickle this morning. Good news Civil Enforcement have written back to say
" We refer to your recent correspondence. The above parking charge notice has been paid in full and settled"
PHEW!
However in light of what you guys have said I think I will still send copies to my MP to help support the push to stop these scammers.
Thanks again

Good news but who was the other letter for ???

Does the other letter show your name and address and the correct VRN ???

Splitzafrenic

yes details are all correct, so feel that it is now put to bed.
However I will keep copies of everything on file, and send copies to my MP to help in the fight against these scammers.
Thanks again

Half_way

why did you pay them?
Can I have some money?

On a more serious note, why not invoice the business? if they kept you waiting, you could say they are responsible.