MET Parking - not the usual problem

jaif2k4

Hi people, I have a bit of a predicament regarding this company and I hope you guys can help me out or advise me.

So my problem is with MET Parking saying I stayed over 4 hours is a McDonalds carpark, which is definitely untrue.

Basically I went on a Saturday morning at 7:20 before going to do a job for someone 20 miles away. I also went back at 11:50-something (haven't got the paper to hand for the specific times) to pick some lunch up for the other half on my way home.

So the ANPR cameras that Maccy's have have obviously picked my registration up going in that morning and leaving that lunchtime, but it hasn't picked up me leaving in the morning and coming back later.

Unfortunately the place where I went to do a job didn't have cameras in their carpark at the time so I can't prove I was there.

So my questions are,
1) without proof I was somewhere else how would I contest the charge for them saying I was there for over 4 hours when in actual fact I wasn't even in the same town?
2) if I can contest it without proof how would I go about it?

The way I see it is I've essentially got to prove I wasnt there, because they can prove I was with the ANPR camera images.

I will try and upload a picture of the notice later.

Hopefully you lovely and clever folk would be able to help me out.

Many thank

BrownTrout

Can I ask why It isn't the usual problem.its no different to any other. Read the newbies thread

jaif2k4

The difference I believe is that it's not due to the signage or it's another driver, it's that the cameras didn't pick the registration up in between.

Even scouring the newbies thread and various other threads regarding MET parking or any other PPC I can't seem to find anything similar to my case, even using ye olde search bar.

Quentin

Search double dip

The_Deep

This is far too common. It happens because the cameras they use are cheap imports from China and are not properly serviced and are prone to error anyway. Read some of these.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5550336/double-dip-parking-list-of-cases

and complain to your MP, they are drawing up a new regulations to control these scammers.

On 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these private parking companies. Codes of Practice are being drawn up, an independent appeals service will be set up, and access to the DVLA's date base more rigorously policed, and persistent offenders denied access. Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers.

Until this is done you should still complain to your MP, citing the new legislation.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/8/contents/enacted

Just as the clampers were finally closed down, so hopefully will many of these Private Parking Companies.

fisherjim

This is no different to the hundreds of other double dip cases on here.


Their Mickey Mouse ANPR system is not fit for purpose and these are banned by the government for use in council car parks because of their failings.


Even one of the BPA spokesmen said on the BBC that they make mistakes.


Also people tend to forget it has not just missed an exit it has missed a second entry too, no one asks for that evidence.

Coupon-mad

MET Parking - not the usual problem

Yes it is, and a search for Quentin's suggested words 'double dip ANPR' or the less slangy 'double visit ANPR' would find loads of threads including a whole discussion thread about it and a link to this record of cases stored by the NotoMob:

http://notomob.co.uk/discussions/index.php?topic=5768.120

So my questions are,
1) without proof I was somewhere else how would I contest the charge for them saying I was there for over 4 hours when in actual fact I wasn't even in the same town?

By using the template appeal in the NEWBIES thread, same as usual, but not too quickly. Firstly do a SAR for ALL the images of your car captured by their cameras that day.

2) if I can contest it without proof how would I go about it?

As above.

There is a SAR template in the NEWBIES thread 2nd post and it tells you how to find the email contact for any PPC's Data Protection Officer (DPO). Do that email today - now.

Make sure you ask for ALL IMAGES from ALL cameras of your car that day.

Delay the appeal a bit while you get that first (hopefully they will be quick). As you know you have 28 days to appeal so you probably have time first. The SAR is NOT an appeal.

I will try and upload a picture of the notice later.

You can't upload an you can't post working links, so it would have to be a broken URL link like you see on umpteen zillion threads by other newbies.

But please only post the image for us to double check, after you've compared the PCN to the POFA as linked in the NEWBIES thread, and checked to see if it includes the warning that the keeper will be liable as per para 9(2)f.

Please do that first as we can't do this simple 'spot the difference' exercise for every poster, and it's easy. MET often miss the warning out, and the NEWBIES thread tells you what that means, when a PPC choose to use a non-POFA PCN.

When you've done the easy check, tell us if you think it's a POFA one or not?

And secondly, do you have a dashcam or GPS tracking, or a phone with Google location enabled? Maybe you hold the proof of your comings & goings that day?