APCOA Parking - Debt Recovery Plus

Coupon-mad

OK ask us when you get it, and don't delay as disputes have limited time.

Read the POFA Schedule 4 (para 9, as linked in the NEWBIES thread).

- called APCOA who operate the car park and was informed that due to the driver not being found, and numerous letters sent to the registered address, they sent the debt onto debt recovery plus.

STOP phoning people.

- i told them this is the first letter i have seen - she gave me the address that they had been sending these letters to - to my old address ( is still own the home but don’t live there).

Why is your car registered to the wrong address? You MUST put that right with the DVLA, because that's illegal if that address is not the keeper's address where the car is kept.

Changing your driving licence address does not change any car registration data.

The above has nothing to do with your credit card complaint as the address was immaterial to the scam of extracting money from a keeper. However, on the phone to the debt collectors, PLEASE don't tell us they asked if you were the driver and you admitted it, or they asked what your 'appeal' was and you talked about parking the car?

So FRUSTRATED that you came here after paying nearly half a grand. What IS going on?

Ineedausername

evening all

just had the letter from the CC company asking for details. they have asked to send them any documents, evidence etc

your help in writing a letter is appreciated

thanks in advanced

Coupon-mad

We'll help when you show us your draft, as usual.

I told you what to put, in post #20.

Ineedausername

hi

draft letter below, your help is appreciated in getting the wording right
many thanks

Account Number
Name of Creditor/Bank
REF XXXXX
Dear Sir or Madam:
Further to our telephone conversation on [insert date] 2020, please find the information below and full details of my dispute along with a copy of the letter sent to me by Debt Recovery Plus (DRP)
I have been a victim of a scam from DRP who have not proved that any monies are owed to them and that I have been mislead as to the liability of these charges. DRP have sent a threatening letter (enclosed) to which I was deceived into paying.
Outline
I received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus for a demand for payment - unpaid parking charge notice of £140.00. Reason – Use of private car park without a valid permit. Something I was unaware of as this is the first communication that I have received.
I called APCOA who operate the car park and was informed that due to the driver not being found, and numerous letters sent to the registered address, they sent the debt onto debt recovery plus.
I told them this is the first letter I have seen and now she tells me there are another 3 in the system; a total of 4 PCN’s and that debt recovery will be perusing these too. She advises me to call them to discuss this matter as they are the ones who will be chasing payment.
I called DRP and spoke to [Insert name here] who informed me that they have indeed a number of PCN’s they are chasing. [Insert name here] also informed me the total cost is a total of [insert cost]
[Insert name here] said if this was not cleared, they would be seeking further action including court. [Insert name here] said this will have an effect on my credit rating.
To explain, my job does not allow me to have a CCJ. It is a condition of our employment that I sustain a good/excellent rating with no CCJ’s, bankruptcy’s etc. hearing this, made me feel very anxious and quite upset.
[Insert name here] said to help, [Insert name here] will speak to her manager and try and reduce the amount outstanding. The offer of [insert figure] was a reduction of [insert figure] if I paid now and no further action was taken. It is a one time offer expiring at 15:00. I was pressured into paying the bill.
I reluctantly paid the charge without having the time to consult with anyone and had not allowed me to read up on my rights.
Please investigate this matter and correct the fraudulent transaction as soon as possible.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[My Name]
Enc. (DRP Letter)

nosferatu1001

By having a "one time offer" expiring at 3pm, theyve broken some consumer law from memory?

beamerguy

I see no reason to offer a full explanation about the circumstances and how it led up to DRP.

All you need say is, there is currently a dispute with the parking company which you are handling.
You can add that the parking company belongs to an unregulated industry and is not an authority.

DRP are also an unregulated debt collector who parking companies use to collect monies they are not entitled to.
Unlike the banking industry who will use regulated debt collectors and if need be to legally transfer any debt to them, DRP are not permitted to purchase a debt from the parking company.
DRP offer parking companies a "no win no fee" service and after a period of time have no option but the pass this back to the parking company due their inability to proceed further

In the interim period DRP will threaten people with unproven amounts and add further amounts which is contrary to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA 2012) and illegal

The parking company concerned failed to react in a professional manner and hence DRP were instructed.

In my case, DRP threatened me with a CCJ and due to my job, where having a CCJ would be detremental, I was pressurised in paying an unproven debt.
At this point, I was not aware that DRP are totally powerless in the private parking industry but they applied pressure for me to pay, especially with threats of a CCJ. In reality, DRP cannot take people to court and therefore their empty threats are considered fraudulent in an attempt to extort monies

I confirm that DRP has added on fake amounts which is not allowed under POFA2012

Coupon-mad

nosferatu1001 wrote: »

By having a "one time offer" expiring at 3pm, theyve broken some consumer law from memory?

I think so. The OP should mention that the pressure of the fake ''one time offer'' is against the CSA and FSA debt Collection guidance, as is telling the wrong person they are liable. The registered keeper could NEVER be liable in this case because this parking firm doesn't use the POFA 2012, the only applicable legal remedy against keepers.

Ineedausername

thank you guys for the helpful pointers, ill amend the letter and repost it here
regards

Ineedausername

hi all
thank you for your time, please version 2 below
again, thank you for your support
INeedAUsername

Account Number
Name of Creditor/Bank
REF XXXXX
Dear Sir or Madam:
Further to our telephone conversation on [insert date] 2020, please find the full details of my dispute along with a copy of the letter sent to me by Debt Recovery Plus (DRP)
I have been a victim of a scam from DRP who have not proved that any monies are owed to them and that I have been mislead as to the liability of these charges. DRP have sent a demand for payment letter (enclosed) to which I was deceived into paying. This letter alone is a false representation authority under the FCA guidance.
The parking company concerned failed to react in a professional manner and hence DRP were instructed. A dispute has also been logged with the parking company.
DRP are also an unregulated debt collector who parking companies use to collect monies they are not entitled to.
Unlike the banking industry who will use regulated debt collectors and if need’s be, to legally transfer any debt to them, DRP are not permitted to purchase a debt from the parking company.
DRP offer parking companies a "no win no fee" service and after a period of time have no option but the pass this back to the parking company due their inability to proceed further.
This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for minor breaches of contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors.
Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, and another company have already been named and shamed, as has Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each year). They lose most of them and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct. I too, will be taking this up with my local MP.
In the interim period DRP will threaten people with unproven amounts and add further amounts which is contrary to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA 2012) and is clearly an illegal practice.
All of this I have learnt whilst spending some time reading consumer advice and forums.
In my case, DRP threatened me with a CCJ and due to my job, where having a CCJ would be detrimental, I was pressurised in paying an unproven debt.
At this point, I was not aware that DRP are totally powerless in the private parking industry but they applied pressure for me to pay, especially with threats of a CCJ. In reality, DRP cannot take people to court and therefore their empty threats are considered fraudulent in an attempt to extort monies. Coupled with the ‘one time offer’ of reducing the amount if I paid before 15:00 on the day goes against the CSA and FSA collection guidance.
I can also confirm that DRP have added on inflated amounts which is not allowed under POFA2012.
Please investigate this matter and correct the fraudulent transaction as soon as possible.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[My Name]
Enc. (DRP Letter)

Le_Kirk

and that I have been mislead as to the liability

Should be: -

and that I have been [strike]mislead[/strike] misled as to the liability

payment letter (enclosed) to which I was deceived into paying

Should be: -

payment letter (enclosed), [strike]to[/strike] which I was deceived into paying

This letter alone is a false representation authority under the FCA guidance.

Perhaps better as: -

This letter alone is [strike]a[/strike] false representation of authority under the FCA guidance.

and if need’s be

Maybe: -

[strike]and[/strike] if [strike]need’s[/strike] needs be

or better still: -

[strike]and[/strike] if [strike]need’s be[/strike] required

empty threats are considered fraudulent in an attempt to extort monies.

Try this: -

empty threats are considered a fraudulent [strike]in an[/strike] attempt to extort monies.

Coupled with the ‘one time offer’ of reducing the amount if I paid before 15:00 on the day goes against the CSA and FSA collection guidance.

This doesn't make sense as it stands as you haven't coupled it with anything, just say: -

[strike]Coupled with the[/strike] The ‘one time offer’ of reducing the amount if I paid before 15:00 on the day goes against the CSA and FSA collection guidance.