I Wasn’t There!

Bl0ss0m

I have received an unpaid fine letter from Civil Enforcement Ltd for alleged parking offence at a Manchester Hospital. I have never been to Manchester! The number plate and car model details are correct. Unfortunately I was in bed ill on the alleged offence date so have no proof of where I was. How can they have my car details for Manchester when it was sitting on my drive in Central Scotland at the time? What is the best way to fight this? I am now a very worried pensioner, concerned about escaping charges.

Fruitcake

If the keeper lives in Scotland and the vehicle is registered in Scotland, you are completely safe.
Only a driver can be held liable in Scotland and NI, so even if your car really had been in Manchester, the keeper cannot be held liable. Since neither you nor the parking scammers know who was driver was you can safely ignore this unless you get real court papers, which is extremely unlikely in Scotland and in any cases the scammers would lose if they tried it.

You should complain to the DVLA that the scammers obtained your personal details without justification because they have made a mistake reading the number plate of the car in question. Unfortunately this happens a lot as the system is seriously flawed.

Also complain to your MP about this unregulated scam.

I suggest you also complain to the hospital that the scammers they have employed are using an unfit for purpose ANPR system banned by the UK Government in council car parks to read number plates.

Does the PCN have images of the car or number plate in question, or can you look at pictures of the car on the scammers website? For the latter, go through the process as if you were paying but obviously don't pay.

Look for discrepancies between the images and the keeper's car. Is there a GB sticker or screw or damage or mark or garage name on one that isn't on the other.

You can show us the images from the scammers by uploading them to a web hosting site such as postimage or tinypic, then post the URL here but change http to hxxp. Someone here will then change them back to a live link. Make sure you redact all personal details first.

onlyfoolsandparking

Potentially your VRN (vehicle registration number) may have been cloned, it happens and you would be wise to contact the Police.


If you are 100% accurate with your facts of not being in Manchester then please don't worry, you have nothing to worry about and the Police should be able to assist you.


Its not up to you to prove you weren't there, its up to the parking company to prove you were. You may have to get involved with some letter writing or preferably emails with CEL and that's unfortunate but they really don't have any chance of enforcement action against you.


Don't worry about receiving nasty reminder letters or worse debt letters, they are just sent out to frighten people into paying, you don't have to pay. Just keep all correspondence and let things take their course with (hopefully) help from the Police and definitely help from people on here.

Johno100

onlyfoolsandparking wrote: »

Potentially your VRN (vehicle registration number) may have been cloned, it happens and you would be wise to contact the Police.

Potentially yes, much more likely a misread on their ANPR system.

OP have CEL provided you with any photos of your vehicle/are they viewable on their website?

onlyfoolsandparking

Johno100 wrote: »

Potentially yes, much more likely a misread on their ANPR system.

OP have CEL provided you with any photos of your vehicle/are they viewable on their website?

I always thought ANPR system were 100% accurate:D:D:D


Then again I always thought Millwall would win the cup (for Beamerguy:D)

waamo

You could write to CEL and tell them the vehicle has been sat on your drive and hasn't moved.

As you clearly couldn't have been the driver I can't see any harm or risk in it.

beamerguy

onlyfoolsandparking wrote: »

Then again I always thought Millwall would win the cup (for Beamerguy:D)

pardon me Del ?

onlyfoolsandparking

beamerguy wrote: »

pardon me Del ?

Just one of the many funny one liners Grandad came out with on Only fools and horses

beamerguy

onlyfoolsandparking wrote: »

Just one of the many funny one liners Grandad came out with on Only fools and horses

ok, I see, yup remember, thanks

Bl0ss0m

I so appreciate yours, and another’s response, as they have both given me reassurance and a way forward with good advice that I will pursue. I am not trying to con anyone, I genuinely have never been there.

Bl0ss0m

Thank you so much for yours, and another’s response, giving guidance and even an explanation of how this could have happened. I feel a bit calmer now and will take the advice offered. It was alarming to be accused when innocent yet wondering how registration details were correct.