PCN from Sep '20

ToSortPCN

I'll complain to Trading Standards, definitely.  As for MP, do you reckon I'd be best contacting my local MP or the one in the area where the car was parked?  I presume my local one, but I just wonder if he'd be able to do much if the alleged offence was in a different part of the country.

Fruitcake

You can only complain to your MP, but you can ask them to forward your complaint to the MP where the alleged event occurred, or you can send them a curtesy copy if you know their email address.

If you use the Write To Them website and enter your post code, it will bring up the contact details for your MP, and you well get an automatic receipt so you will know the MP has got it.
From memory, you get a message a while later to check if you received a reply.

WriteToThem - Email your Councillor, MP, MSP, MS, MLA or London Assembly Member for free

Coupon-mad

CIS is a BPA member and a complaint has already been made to the BPA about the use of the word Summons by CIS.  The BPA agreed with me but CIS have ignored them it seems.  The new Government Code of Practice (still being drafted in 2021)  outlaws the word 'summons' among others.

ToSortPCN

Yesterday I received a letter which appears to be from National Parking Enforcement Ltd themselves stating it's a "LETTER BEFORE CLAIM".  OK, I think this is the real thing this time.  It reads,
"As you have ignored previous requests for payment it is now our intention to issue legal proceedings for recovery.  This is our Letter Before Claim as required by Pre-Action Protocol."

So, I'm now going to follow the procedure in post #2 of the Newbies thread.  I will also contact my MP and Trading Standards now to complain.  As far as I understand, there are 3 companies involved (NPE themselves, their debt collectors TNC Collections, and then Credit Investigation Services (UK) - also debt collectors?). 
1. Should I complain separately about all 3 companies, or just about NPE and mention the other companies contracted by NPE? 
2. Is my complaint specifically about their scare tactics and misleading wording on their letters?  Or also about the fact they're chasing me for the alleged offence?
3. Is there something in particular I should ask my MP to do about the matter?

Thanks for taking the time to reply on this thread.

Coupon-mad

TNC Collections, and then Credit Investigation Services (UK) - also debt collectors?). 

Yes, in fact CIS are the same company as (a trading style of) TNC's parent company, if you read the bottom of the letters.  All just parasites firms.

I think this is the real thing this time

I doubt it. I'd like to see NPE try their own court claims, LOL!  If this LBC only gives you 14 days it's not a LBC.

ToSortPCN

Looks pretty legit based on how I now understand a real one should read:

Umkomaas

Respond to it as if it is a Letter Before Claim as per the NEWBIES FAQ sticky, second post.  I still think this is a disguised 'frightener', but go through the motions and see where this gets to. 

You should, in addition, complain to the IPC that NPE is misleading you with the statement 'The amount shown above will not increase if the debt shown above is paid prior to the issue of the County Court Summons'.  This is a civil matter, not a criminal case. Get the IPC sniffing around. 

D_P_Dance

Indeed, I have seen several PoPLA appeals upheld because  of inappropriate use of the word "fine",


 Offence" 

ToSortPCN

How does this look as a letter to their DPO?  Is there anything you think I should reword or add?



I have requested the PDT machine record specifically for the time of the alleged offence, as the list they sent previously only goes up to 7pm and the car entered the car park later than that.

Is it also worth asking for a photo (taken on the day) of the sign which they suggest forms the basis of their contract between them and either the keeper or the driver?  I would assume that's the main part of their case and despite my previous request for it I haven't seen any evidence of the sign yet.

There's a possibility the car may have entered the same car park out of hours on other occasions that same week.  Should I prepare for them coming back with evidence of that and separate claims, or has their time expired by now to do anything about those?

Umkomaas

You won't get anything that doesn't contain your personal data. No signs, PDT list unlikely, same with 'evidence they will rely on'. Narrow it down to anything containing your personal data. 

Don't offer them the chance to receive more evidence of who you are. Your V5C (logbook) is sufficient, or if you've sold the vehicle in question, a copy of two recent utility bills.