dcbl - Notice of debt recovery for a ticket I accept

mpit

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice on a debt collection letter I've received for a parking ticket dating back to 2017.

Because of the very unique location, I recall the event in question clearly - I visited a leisure centre that has free parking, but forgot to enter my registration into their terminal inside. Totally my fault.

What I don't recall is ever receiving a fine in the post - but I've moved twice since this time, so it's possible it was an honest mix up. So here's my dilema;

I concede that it was my fault and I can afford to pay it, but I don't want to pay more than neccesary if the parking firm haven't done their job properly. So what should I do?

On the other hand, I'd rather take £170 on the chin than deal with any court paperwork and being mid-house purchase, anything on my credit file could be very costly.

nosferatu1001

You would never have received a fine. 
Invoice. 
No risk of CCJ and unless you have a crazy chain,. woujldnt affect it anyway. 

D_P_Dance

Please read the newbies, it explains the ins and outs of these private parking tickets   Have you complained to your MP?

Fruitcake

It is not a fine.
The fourth post of the NEWBIES that asks everyone to read it first tells you why it is safe to ignore powerless debt collectors.
Getting a court claim from DCB Legal is far removed from getting a debt crawler letter from DCB Limited. The latter will even tell you it is not the subject of high court action.

What happened when you complained to the landowner/business manger/CEO?

Perhaps it was more a case of that the signage was inadequate to draw the motorists attention to a hidden keypad and that none of the employees told the motorist they needed to enter their VRM lest they get a scamvoice.

It is not a good idea to admit anything, or to reveal the driver's identity at any point. 

What is the name of the PPC involved?


If it did go to court and you lost, it would cost £175 - £200, which is less than the scammers are claiming when the court permitted charges are added.
If the original charge was £100, then that is all the scammers can claimed plus allowable court costs of £75 - £100.
Nothing can affect your ability to obtain credit unless you allow it. It is all within your control to prevent a CCJ, even in the unlikely event that you lost.

Ralph-y

this would be a good place to start

the newbies thread/discussion

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822/newbies-private-parking-ticket-old-or-new-read-these-faqs-first-thankyou/p1
make sure you start at the first page not last 

#

Ralph

Fruitcake

Ralph-y said:

this would be a good place to start

the newbies thread/discussion

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822/newbies-private-parking-ticket-old-or-new-read-these-faqs-first-thankyou/p1
make sure you start at the first page not last 

#

Ralph

Actually, I suggest people start at the fifth post and make a note of the acronyms and abbreviations before going back to the start.

D_P_Dance

I concede that it was my fault 

It is no big deal imo.  If you paid  to park they have lost nothing.  ANPR systems should not require further authentication.

In any event, they appear to be trying to scam you, that extra £70 is very likely to be unlawful, read this.  

At the Bradford County Court, District Judge Claire Jackson (now HHJ Jackson, a Specialist Civil Circuit Judge) decided to hear a 'test case' a few months ago, where £60 had been added to a parking charge despite Judges up and down the country repeatedly disallowing that sum and warning parking firms not to waste court time with such spurious claims.   That case was Excel v Wilkinson: G4QZ465V, heard in July 2020 and leave to appeal was refused and that route was not pursued.  The Judge concluded that such claims are proceedings with 'an improper collateral purpose'.   This Judge - and others who have since copied her words and struck dozens of cases out in late 2020 and into 2021 - went into significant detail and concluded that parking operators (such as this Claimant) are seeking to circumvent CPR 27.14 as well as breaching the Consumer Rights Act 2015.   DJ Hickinbottom has recently struck more cases out in that court area, stating: ''I find that striking out this claim is the only appropriate manner in which the disapproval of the court can be shown''.

mpit

Thanks for all the great advice. 
I did read the newbies thread, but the advice seems to centre around either
- appealing quickly, something that I don't appear to be able to do, as the the date in question was four years ago.  
- Disputing it in court, something I'd rather avoid owing to the time and effort involved costing me more than the fine.

The advise I was looking for was whether I can pay the original fine, given that this is the first I've heard of it. I really have no interest in going to court. 

Fruitcake

It is not a fine.

I doubt very much you will be able to pay the original £100. They are now asking for £170 and that is all they will likely expect. If it goes to court they will claim more.

Like I said, what happened when you complained to the landowner etcetera? That is the best and cheapest way to get rid of this.

fisherjim

Why do you keep calling this a fine, it's a speculative invoice from a bunch of chancers.

Why do you keep saying it's your fault? If the terminal was in your face, or you deliberately ignored it maybe it was, if this does not apply maybe it's the sites fault for not making the procedure clear of accessible enough.

D_P_Dance

If you continue to use the eff word some of the regulars will get very cross.  The word you need is "invoice". None of this is your fault, you have fallen victim to a sophisticated scam.  None if these terminals are necessary.