I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grimghast

Hi I'm after some advice.

4 years a PCN was left on the windscreen of a car I am the registered keeper of while parked at a retail car park, I was advised (looking on here probably incorrectly) to do nothing not to reply to anything and not to enter into correspondence with them.

I got all the usual threatening letters from the parking firm and a solicitors and a debt collection agency, all ignored and it all went quiet after 6 months or so, 4 years later I now have a LBC from VCS litigation department threatening to take the matter to court.

Should I continue to ignore the debt collectors letters and wait and see if it goes to court? and did I screw up ignoring the original letters?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Le_Kirk

Please go and re-read the NEWBIE sticky 4th Post all about Debt Collectors and what they cannot do, specifically they cannot initiate court action.  A debt collector might refer the matter back to their principal (solicitors) and suggest they use the court as an official debt collection agency because they, the debt collection agency have failed.  Has you friend EVER received a letter of/before claim or formal court claim paper from CCBC?

Grimghast

they've binned all the letters they received but does think one of the solicitors letters was a letter before claim.

It was a letter from a firm called gladstones and said LBC in big red letters is all they can remember about it

pould

Grimghast said:

they've binned all the letters they received but does think one of the solicitors letters was a letter before claim.

It was a letter from a firm called gladstones and said LBC in big red letters is all they can remember about it

Can we have a redacted copy of it to see? Remove any personal identifying features etc.

Umkomaas

Which parking firm, some are more litigious than others? 

Grimghast

the latest letter is from PCS (parking charge services) i'll get them to email me a copy so I can hace a squizz at it myself and post a redacted copy on here.

Although having reread the newbies advice its best to ignore the debt collectors.

Just wondered if there was something else we should do regards the original pcn as it was totally ignored at the time.

D_P_Dance

• 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.

  
  

Umkomaas

the latest letter is from PCS (parking charge services) i'll get them to email me a copy so I can hace a squizz at it myself and post a redacted copy on here.

The potential danger of third party involvement - are you sure this isn't Parking Collection Services?  Chinese Whispers.

Why can't your friend post here?

Grimghast

Ok I now have a copy of the letter there was also some forms asking how they plan to pay and asking for financial information if they declared they couldn't afford to!
also the company looks like its called Vehicle control services

nosferatu1001

Its VCS
As it clearly states. 
This isnt a debt collector letter, its clearly a letter before claim, so you need to read AGAIN the newbies thread, and where it says how to respond. 

Umkomaas

'The principle debt'?  They can't even use the correct term!

It looks like a formal 'Letter of Claim', so it needs to be dealt with it as per the NEWBIES FAQ sticky, second post. 

Why can't your friend post here?

You still haven't responded to the above ....