Scam PCN (‘Photoshopping Fraud’?) Re A Norfolk City Council (NCC) Car Park

sukipryce

National Parking Enforcement Ltd (NPEL) sent me a PCN on 10th Aug '20, claiming that I had parked incorrectly (across 2 bays) in St Augustines Car Park, Norwich, from 11-45 to 12-08 on 4th Aug '20, with photos showing this. But this is impossible, as I was indeed parked in Norwich that day, but was in St Andrews multistorey car park all day, from about 9.30 am to 3 pm. As I understand it, both these car parks are owned by NCC, but are run by NPEL. Having appealed unsuccessfully to NPEL, I now seek help from MSE – or at least wish to alert readers to this scam.

Initially I thought the car in the photos on the PCN wasn't mine, and appealed to NPEL partly on that basis. But having examined these photos, and the others sent with the initial refusal of my appeal (8th Oct '20), with the help of my Community Police Officer PC Gwynn, I have to accept that the car shown does appear to be mine. So I have to assume that NPEL's 'evidence' is based on some sort of photoshopping creation? How they've achieved this I have no idea, but presume modern technology could do it. I did not notice any sign that my car had been moved or interfered with by someone else when I returned to it at St Andrews around 3 pm, and its ignition is electronically secured, so it seems impossible that it was actually taken to St Augustines to stage these photos – the more so as it appears to be me driving the car. Again, when and how NPEL managed to obtain these photos; and how they knew I was in Norwich that day, I have no idea.

But I have to assure you that I am of sound mind (eg I am the Wildlife Officer for the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust, and an active member of the Norfolk Flora Group carrying out wild plant recording), and of good character (I can provide numerous excellent character references). And I can assure you that I DIDN'T suddenly move my car from St Andrews for 20 minutes in the middle of my day's shopping in Norwich. I have three receipts from Norwich shops on that morning of 4th Aug (Next, Primark, Wilkinsons Tea and Coffee Shop) showing that I bought items at 10-51, 11-05 and 11-21 am, which doesn't disprove NPEL’s claim. Nevertheless, I ask you: could/would I have run to wherever my car was and moved it to St Augustines by 11-45 am in order to park it across 2 bays, and then move it out again by 12-08 pm? Why would I do anything so pointless and out of character? Plus, I am a good driver with some 30 years No Claims Bonus, and wouldn't dream of parking across 2 bays in the manner shown in the PCN photos.

 Also, I don't think I have ever been to St Augustines car park, as when I visit Norwich for a few hours or more, I nearly always park in a long-stay car park - usually St Andrews.

 My problem now is that I am unable to prove that I WAS parked at St Andrews car park all day. To try to do this, I contacted NCC in early October (see below for explanation of why my actions were delayed) to see if I could obtain a) CCTV footage proving that I WAS parked there (Level 2, east inner side, second bay north of up-ramp as I recall) during the time given on the PCN for St Augustines, and/or WASN'T in St Augustines during that time; and/or b) electronic evidence that my car was in St Andrews. However, unfortunately, I have found (after several false starts and wrong turnings) that getting this proof is not possible. I rang NCC Parking Dept on 8th Oct '20, and a staff member initially told me that I should contact cctvrequests@norwich.gov.uk. I did, but their response was that footage was wiped after 28 days. Then I rang NCC Parking back to try to pursue the electronic entry-exit evidence, and another staff member told me that the above email address was for NCC on-street parking only, and advised me to pursue my queries via NCC's online 'Contact us' form. I did this, and the staff replying confirmed that CCTV footage at St Andrews for 4th August would have been deleted; and also that I would need to have noted my ticket code number (I didn’t – not thinking I’d need this info), or to have paid by card (I paid with cash) in order to prove that I was in St Andrews that day.

 

If you are wondering why I didn't chase up CCTV footage etc earlier: I rang Norfolk County Council (I thought – incorrectly - that they were responsible for Norwich parking) the day I received the PCN in early Aug to ask about obtaining this, but was told that I probably wouldn't be able to get hold of it myself, and that only the Police could request it. So I didn't pursue this as - since I didn't hear back from NPEL for several weeks - I thought that they had accepted my initial appeal. Delay was probably increased because I sent that appeal on 13th Aug '20, 1st class, 'to be signed for', to NPEL's Head Office address in Elstree, Herts, as I assumed that the PCN was a scam letter, and that the Norwich address on it was a scam address also. However, this letter never reached anyone, as - bizarrely - it was returned to me undelivered on 17 Sept '20 by Royal Mail, the reason given by RM being 'not called for'. So NPEL Norwich - the source of the initial PCN - weren't aware that I had appealed; and I wasn't aware of this till they chased me up with a Final Reminder on 9th Sept '20. So all this delayed my pursuing CCTV footage until it was too late.

 

Other Action Taken To Date To Try To Help My Case:
- Crime Number: after receiving the initial PCN, I rang Action Fraud, filled in their online form, and was given the Crime Ref No. NFRC200803836144.

- IAS appeal: I completed this on 12/10/2020, it was rejected by NPEL, and has gone to Arbitration (judging by Forum comments, it seems most unlikely that they'll find in my favour)..

Final Comments: this seems to be a new form of scam, as neither Action Fraud, nor the police I've spoken to, nor anyone else I've discussed it with, has heard of a case like mine. I therefore hope very much that someone on the Forum can accept what I've said above, and help me with my case.

With thanks for your help, Suki Pryce (Ms), BSC, MPhil.

Fruitcake

First of all, redact all personal information, especially your name (assuming you have used your real name). If you can't edit your post using the cog-like icon near the top right of your post because you are a NEWBIE, then ask a board guide to edit or delete your post/thread.
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Once you have edited/redacted your post, re-submit it, but please cut it down to make it easier to understand. For example, we do not need to know what you do for a living or in your spare time unless it is relevant to the parking event.

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Coupon-mad

Have a look at the background behind your car.  Surely all that has happened is that NPE (ex-clampers and NOT to be paid!) have got the name of the car park wrong and in fact their images come from the car park you were in. 

What date was the rejection letter?  Just wondering about IAS, a kangaroo court but if you throw photo evidence at it to prove this was not the location stated, it is possible to win the odd one and so what if not, you'd win if NPE tried a small claim.  

What about Google location on your phone as evidence, is that enabled on your phone?

D_P_Dance

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP, sometimes it can lead to cancellation.,

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, many of whom are former clampers. On 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these shysters. Codes of Practice are being drawn up, and hopefully this will become law shortly