APCOA - Debt Recovery Plus Letter

Redx

MKS1111 said:

I didn't miss anything, I read, understood and agreed with everything and thanks again for all of the info. 

However, the keeper of the vehicle is worrying to the point of crying about the fact that she may be taken to court because she assumes liability in this instance (the driver hasn't been named). 

So for me, I'm in a situation where someone I care about is constantly worrying regardless of *anything* that I say. I can't guarantee 100% that this won't go to court and because it would be the keeper going to court (not the driver), I can only respect the keeper's position. I know that this would amount to nothing, if anything, I could use the subsequent letters to wipe my !!!!!!, but unfortunately, it isn't that easy in this instance. 

Just imagine how many other anxious individuals fall victim to these scammers. 

Nevertheless, I will still send a SAR to the DPO for APCOA and write to DVLA informing them that I do not consent to my data being sold to any private parking company under any circumstances and I formally opt out because of previous harassment by the industry etc (thanks Coupon-mad). 

she is not liable as the keeper because the law named POFA protects her , APCOA never comply with POFA so there is no KEEPER liability !!  its not relevant land so again there is no KEEPER liability, she is bulletproof , regardless

only she as keeper can email the SAR, not you, so make sure its done in HER NAME, not yours (its her data , not your data), using HER email address (or setup a gmail email address you both can use for stuff like this , in HER name). its not much different to the cases on RINDER, without all the faff and hullabaloo , not that it will ever see a court claim

fueboy

MKS1111 said:

I didn't miss anything, I read, understood and agreed with everything and thanks again for all of the info. 

However, the keeper of the vehicle is worrying to the point of crying about the fact that she may be taken to court because she assumes liability in this instance (the driver hasn't been named). 

So for me, I'm in a situation where someone I care about is constantly worrying regardless of *anything* that I say. I can't guarantee 100% that this won't go to court and because it would be the keeper going to court (not the driver), I can only respect the keeper's position. I know that this would amount to nothing, if anything, I could use the subsequent letters to wipe my !!!!!!, but unfortunately, it isn't that easy in this instance. 

Just imagine how many other anxious individuals fall victim to these scammers. 

Nevertheless, I will still send a SAR to the DPO for APCOA and write to DVLA informing them that I do not consent to my data being sold to any private parking company under any circumstances and I formally opt out because of previous harassment by the industry etc (thanks Coupon-mad). 

Is this something we can all do now?

Having looked through the forum, and finding a thread from 2018, I cannot see a definitive answer.

MKS1111

Hello Fueboy, I'm not 100% sure yet either, hence, I am pursuing it to gather more information on such. 

Does anyone know if all railway car parks have byelaws? 

This is mentioned in the GOV Guidance on Section 56 and Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012: Recovery of Unpaid Parking Charges  (4.1) 

'The provisions in Schedule 4 are intended to apply only on private land in England and Wales. Public highways are excluded as well as any parking places on public land which are either provided or controlled by a local authority (or other government body). Any land which already has statutory controls in relation to the parking of vehicles (such as byelaws applying to airports, ports and some railway station car parks) is also excluded.'. 

It mentions *some* railway station car parks, thus, I'm wondering if there is a source where one can check certain railway car parks? I'm guessing some railway car parks are genuinely private land in some areas and not public land operated by private companies like the majority. 

I'm now going to read over the official legislation for the POFA (Schedule 4). 

Redx

all railway land , all ports and all airports have bylaws in place !

so yes, if its railway land , owned by Great British Railways, its not relevant land under POFA and bylaws are in place

check the signs, should have the name of the TOC, or ask the TOC , check the council for details, or the Land Registry for a small fee

Coupon-mad

Does anyone know if all railway car parks have byelaws? 

Yes.  All of them.

She is NOT liable & nothing will happen.

This really is safe to be ignored.

If the recipient of the letters can't ignore the letter chain without help, due to anxiety, get her to email APCOA's data protection officer and give her new address (yours) so that you can file the letters for her until they give up.

AnnOnnyMuss

hi I know there is a lot of information regarding the issue I’m about to raise. I was just wondering if there is anybody that could give me any advice on my situation.

Back in May 2025 I had received x4 APCOA PCN fines from Manchester Airport for a drop off/pick up payments that hadn’t been made I believe I had made these payments or there had been a payment issue as I am a private hire driver and I use the airport on a daily basis. I had appealed all four of the fines stating that I was a private hire driver and this was not done intentionally and I believe that there had been a payment mistake or issue and if they could disregard the fines or let me pay the initial fee it would be much appreciated as this would financially cripple me with having the possibility of having to pay up to £240 for all four fines. I also stated in the appeal that I had a newborn baby that was a matter of days old and I was unable to work for the past month and the following weeks as there had been birth complications with my wife, I was merely trying to explain that I was unable to pay due to my current circumstances…. the appeals were declined and the new fines were now x4 £100 which now total £400 for a possible £22 payment issue. This had mentally affected me … I wanted to set a payment plan up but with not being able to contact APCOA directly and try and create a payment plan with themselves I didn’t know what do as I do not have the money to pay in full …. Days went by and while focusing on the newborn and my wife I had totally forgot about the appeals being declined, now in August 2025 I have received x4 debt recovery plus letters stating I owe £170 for each of these fines totalling £680. I find this ridiculous and I struggle to understand how they are able to raise these fines by so much… even the initial £60 for missing a £5 payment is ridiculous like people have said it’s all a big scam and they prey on people missing these payments to fine them and even appeal them so they can decline appeals and raise the fines yet again. 

There is now a choice to create a payment plan with the Debt Recovery Plus but I am reluctant as the total amount of £680 from the initial £240 and even from the £22 missed payments is sickening.

What would be the best course of action for me to now take? 

Le_Kirk

AnnOnnyMuss said:

What would be the best course of action for me to now take? 

Start a thread of your own, as it gets confusing trying to deal with two posters/issues on one thread.