VCS Letter Before Claim - EDIT - I WON!!

JACK24

Hi everyone,
I'm after some advice as I'm getting a bit scared now, I've received a Letter Before Claim from VCS and need to respond, but unsure of which way is best? I've tried searching other threads and couldn't find the same scenario - hence the new post.

Background - I received a PCN (for £100 reduced to £60 if paid early) through the post from VCS in September because they said I parked in a private car park without a valid ticket, I had a valid ticket(which I still have) but it must have fallen down/not in view of the attendant. They included many photos of the car and dashboard etc. I stupidly didn't open my mail and ignored the initial request and missed the appeal dates. I then sent them a letter stating that I disputed the claim, explaining what must have happened to the ticket and that I would not be admitting liability or paying them. I have now received a LBC which I must return and they are now requesting £160 + £25 court fees.
They've given me a number of options - of which these seem the obvious choices:

Do I "dispute the debt" and explain the above again?
Do I "provide documents" i.e. a copy of the ticket?
Do I pay the £160?

They've also requested my email/phone number and that I sign the form - should I do these?
Thanks in advance -

Redx

There are hundreds of similar threads on here about an LBC from VCS , so read them

You do not have to return their paperwork , nor should you

You are to email a SAR to the DPO at VCS and obtain all your data , attaching a copy of the LoC and a copy of your V5C or a recent redacted utility bill as proof of I D under the GDPR law

Reply to VCS and deny the alleged debt and attach a copy of the ticket

Then await an MCOL from the CCBC in Northampton , a court claim

No returning their papers , no paying £160 either

The_Deep

You pay them nothing unless a judge so orders it, Read some of these

https://www.bing.com/search?q=fluttering++parking+tickets&form=IENTNB&pc=EUPP_ACTE&mkt=en-gb&httpsmsn=1&msnews=1a&refig=4ea015edcd7b4f2dd17e51c3eed0cf16&sp=-1&pq=fluttering+parking+tickets&sc=0-26&qs=n&sk=&cvid=4ea015edcd7b4f2dd17e51c3eed0cf16

and then read the stickies.

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP, it can cause the scammer extra costs and work, and has been known to get the charge cancelled.

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.

[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/8/contents/enacted[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]

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

Coupon-mad

I have now received a LBC which I must return

No, you do not return the forms. See the NEWBIES thread. Send them a SAR.

and they are now requesting £160 + £25 court fees.

And they are unlikely to win and cannot have the added £60, at all.

Do I "dispute the debt" and explain the above again?

Yes, looks reasonable later to your Judge.

Do I "provide documents" i.e. a copy of the ticket?

Yes, looks reasonable later to your Judge.

Do I pay the £160?

Nope. Not even if you lose will you pay the false £60. Read CEC16's thread.

JACK24

Thanks everyone, your help/advice is appreciated.
Could anybody advise - if or maybe when this case goes to court, IF i lost woudl I get a CCJ? Coudl this then affect future credit applications?
Thanks

Redx

Yes you would , as soon as the judge hands down the judgment in the Court room

But , the judge will specify a time limit of say 30 days to pay it , in full

So pay it , in full , promptly , in order that the pending CCJ is expunged , that way your credit rating is unaffected

It's not paying it promptly , in full , that causes the credit issues (effectively it's contempt of court)

I explained this not long ago in post #13 of this thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6009995/port-of-wells-popla-appeal-advice

Coupon-mad

So the answer is no, we do not put any posters to risking their credit record.

There is nothing not to like, about fighting a PPC scam claim.

beamerguy

JACK24 wrote: »

Thanks everyone, your help/advice is appreciated.
Could anybody advise - if or maybe when this case goes to court, IF i lost woudl I get a CCJ? Coudl this then affect future credit applications?
Thanks

READ THIS ;;;
The CCJ Myth and threats EXPOSED
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5849106/the-ccj-myth-and-threats-and-lies-told-by-debt-collectors-and-ppcs-exposed&highlight=myth

JACK24

Hi all
I think I've seriously messed this one up? Help!!
I sent a letter/email disputing the debt, also providing evidence(a valid ticket for the time/date) and requesting a SAR, i received this back in Feb. Since then I've received a county court claim form(feb) a Judgment for claim(March) and now a 'Field agent confirmation' (April) as I didn't see these until now.
 Charges have increased and I'm expecting an agent to attend my address to remove goods? This may be delayed to the current Covid19 guidance? This has now increased to over £350
Can anyone advise/assist please? I really don't want to pay this amount but am worried what may happen next?
I know I need to get organised and start opening my mail regularly before anyone says anything.
Thanks

nosferatu1001

Well yes, you knew a court claim was possible and didn't check mail for months. 

You're very, very unlikely to get a set aside EXCEPT WITH. Consent of the ppc. 

The newbies thread contains this 
I see nothing of use otherwise assuming you like having credit 

Coupon-mad

Why the heck did you ignore a CLAIM FORM in February?  Whaaaat?  

You were here on this forum (where full information exists to tell you how to defend and win) and yet you ignored a CLAIM and you now wonder why you have a CCJ?

Do you have mitigating circs as to why you didn't see the claim till now, any family illness, NHS keyworker status or issues in Feb/March that could support you applying to set aside the CCJ?  Chronic anxiety, Aspergers or something like that as a diagnosed condition that might cause you a genuine medical need for more time to face opening post?  Anything?

You do know just paying the CCJ off will NOT remove its damage to your credit rating for SIX YEARS?  Do not rush to pay it off.  Read about set asides - in the NEWBIES thread...