DRP letter - I MESSED UP, HELP!!!

Pocha

Hi, hope someone  can help me. I received a letter from DRP about a parking fine issued to me back in Jan for exceeding permitted stay in Meadowhall retail park Sheffield. It was the first  knew as I'd moved house and not changed my address. I panicked and phoned them which I now know that I shouldn't have (having read the threads). Anyway, I now know that they have photo of me entering and leaving, overstaying by 18mins! I am a single parent with a then 4 year old so as you can imagine shopping and eating can take longer! Urgently needing some advice as I told DRP that I'm not paying it but realised his now means that I've acknowledged it is that right?? Arghhhhh what a mess, last thing I need in the middle of homeschooling, and working at night!! ALL ADVICE GREATLY APPRECIATED

D_P_Dance

Please read the newbies thread at the top of the index page, especially where it tells you to ignore letters frpm debt collectors.     

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, when life gets back to normal, it will become impossible for those scammers who are left to continue their vile trade, 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.

Redx

Worry not , ignore drp , they are powerless and can do nothing at all !!! T*ss*rs

The pictures are of a vehicle , not a person

If you know the PCN number , complain to meadowhall and get it cancelled

Have you now changed the address on your V5C and also your driving licence with the DVLA ? , because they can issue real fines of up to £1000 for each error , so get them done asap

Stop phoning people , phoning does not help at all

Which parking company is it ?

pould

I know this can be quite distressing, but you can safely calm down as a Debt Collector has ZERO power to do anything to you. Nothing short of a court decision can make you pay anything (and most people who follow advice here never end up there OR win at court).
Have you read the Newbies thread? Did you receive anything before a Debt Collector's letter (which I remind you has absolutely no power)? What is the name of the Parking Company?

There are lots of people here to help, but we do encourage people to do some of the legwork themselves.

Pocha

OK, great, so me phoning DRP isn't any admission? The parking is owned by G24 Ltd, and no I didn't receive anything prior to the letter as they had my old address (which I've now changed thanks RedX). Good idea about writing to my MP D_P_Dance, didn't think of that as I didn't think they'd get involved? Have only ever written to them to campaign on issues. Should I just ignore any other letters I get then? Just don't want to end up in court for 18mins overstay! 

Really appreciate the quick responses, don't think I can face yet another battle right now!

Ralph-y

"don't think I can face yet another battle right now! "

ok so get complaining to the landowner ....

Ralph

Pocha

OK, so I can't actually find who 'owns' Meadowhall retail park (as opposed to Meadowhall shopping centre) I found an article saying that British Land owns 50%...

pould

Do a number of things

i) Write to G24 via email as ***the registered keeper*** and ask for copies of the original PCN

ii) If you can, get the original PCNs from your previous address (in addition to i above)

iii) Contact Meadowhall and ask them to get the ticket cancelled once you have the PCN

G24 belong to a trade body called the IAS and their "appeals" service is next to useless. You could still submit an "appeal" using the template in the Newbies thread but don't be surprised if they reject it.

If you get that far with no success, basically you sit tight and see if they're foolish enough to take you to court. If that happens we can offer lots of help. And don't be worried by court - even if you lose you still only end up paying what they say you owe AND you have all the opportunity to not only get a judge to agree with you but also to let G24 try and play some dirty tricks we know all about and can show to the judge.

Le_Kirk

Pocha said:

Should I just ignore any other letters I get then? Just don't want to end up in court for 18mins overstay! 

Ignore (that is Take No Action, except to file to prove harassment later) about debt collector letters.  Do NOT ignore letter before/of claim or real court papers from CCBC.

MistyZ

There are a load of Agents on the right-hand side of this:  https://completelyretail.co.uk/scheme/Meadowhall-Retail-Park-Sheffield

My money would be on Savills being the land management agent to contact - I'm saying that simply because they often are.  Though actually Legal & General are definitely named as the owners in the dropdown thingy on the right.  No matter, email your complaint and request for cancellation to the CEOs of the lot of 'em forthwith!

Do mention the details of that shopping trip - the stores & any other premises visited, money spent etc.  18 minutes is not a long overstay for genuine customers with a small child in tow, it's those who are not customers or would-be customers that parking companies are meant to deter, not people like you.  Be polite but assertive in your complaint, show confidence that you are in the right, because you are.   

Redx

Email a SAR to the DPO at G24 for all your data , attaching copies of 2 redacted utility bills as proof of I D

Any appeal would have been rejected , so don't beat yourself up about it

The complaint to meadowhall is your priority once you have the PCN number , a landowner cancellation is your main priority