Missed PCN and recovery action

Masterplanner

Hi all,

I am new to the forums and have been through the sticky post but my scenario doesn’t seem to be covered, or I have mis-understood.

In mid-March my car used a ncp car park, there are photos of entry and exit and it is alleged that the car was parked for longer than the time paid for, although it doesn’t specify how long was paid for, and we don’t remember how long was paid for.

The notice from NCP was sent mid-July, it arrived in a plain envelope looking like a bank statement and the final reminder was sent a month later. neither of these letters were opened until yesterday as we had not thought they were anything other than bank statements, and we don’t action these as we bank online. We have also had quite a busy personal life over this period which hasn’t helped with our home organisation.
The last date to pay has now passed and I have tried to appeal as instructed in the sticky thread but the ncp website says that it cannot find the pcn. I assume this is because it has passed the last date that it can be paid before it is passed to the debt recovery action.
What can I do, do I call the company and try and appeal to their better nature or is there a more effective route I can take?
Thanks in advance for the advice or for pointing me to relevant advice.

KeithP

Better nature?? You're kidding aren't you?

These companies are after your money. There is no profit responding favourably to victims who 'appeal to their better nature'.

Wake up! This is an entirely unregulated industry.

You have now missed all opportunities to appeal these invoices.

You can now ignore all debt collectors letters but do post again on this thread [STRIKE]if you ever[/STRIKE] when you receive either a Letter of Claim or official County Court correspondence.

Meanwhile get organised and make sure you don't miss any more time sensitive mail. Missing County Court deadlines can be costly.

I like the username you have chosen, prove you are worthy of it.

And here's a pointer to relevant advice - the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread.

Masterplanner

Thanks for the advice KeithP.
I have now received a letter from a debt recovery agency.

Is there any point contacting the owner of the shopping centre parked to complain as per the advice in the sticky thread or have I also missed that opportunity?

KeithP

Masterplanner wrote: »

Thanks for the advice KeithP.
I have now received a letter from a debt recovery agency.

Is there any point contacting the owner of the shopping centre parked to complain as per the advice in the sticky thread or have I also missed that opportunity?

Always a good idea to get the thing cancelled by complaining to the landholder. Never too late for that.

Masterplanner

Hi again,
I have now received a final demand for payment threatening the next step will be Solicitor’s action. I know this is their tactic but I am worried that the payment will go up again and I will end up having to pay. Do you have any further advice or is it still a waiting game?

Le_Kirk

All part of the game. Just sit tight and re-read the NEWBIE sticky post # 4 about debt collectors and what to do, which is effectively NOTHING. Do not, of course, ignore LBA/LBC/LBCC or real court papers.

The_Deep

I … have been through the sticky post but my scenario doesn’t seem to be covered, or I have mis-understood.

You have misunderstood, there are thousands of similar cases on here to your own, read the stickies again, precise circumstance are immaterial. .

Nine times out of ten of these tickets are scams so consider complaining to your MP.

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, many of whom are former clampers, and on 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these shysters. 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, persistent offenders denied access to the DVLA database and unable to operate.

Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers, but 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

Masterplanner

Thanks “the Deep” what do I complain about, the fact that I am being chased for over £150 for small parking charge?

I have now received a letter from BW which gives me 15 days to reply, am I correct in assuming this is the letter of claim or letter before claim?
Is there something that will assure me of this?
So it is now a case of a SAR to the parking company and holding letter to BW?

Le_Kirk

A proper LoC/LBC/LBA/LBCC should give 30 days to respond and should contain financial forms (or point towards them) which you do NOT fill in. There should also be Particulars of claim (POC) with the evidence they are going to rely on.

KeithP

On 6th September, over two months ago, you asked...

Masterplanner wrote: »

Is there any point contacting the owner of the shopping centre parked to complain as per the advice in the sticky thread or have I also missed that opportunity?

I responded...

KeithP wrote: »

Always a good idea to get the thing cancelled by complaining to the landholder. Never too late for that.

What was the outcome of that?

Masterplanner

Hi Kieth,
I did contact the shopping centre which the car park is attached to but was told that it is leased by NCP and not managed on the centres behalf so they have not influence over how it is run.
Sorry I should have replied earlier