UK Parking Control & DCB - Ridiculous PCN

DannyB1219

Hello all, 

My partner received a lovely letter from the tremendous individuals at Direct Collections Bailiffs LTD on 25/01/2022. 

Much to her surprise they are now seeking £170.00 for an unpaid Parking Notice Charge! A PCN she has not seen nor heard of until the above mentioned date. 

As always, the details provided on said letter are vague and are a simple scare tactic. She’s easily worried and I’m in the legal profession so she “quickly” called me. (You’ll read as to why this wasn’t quick enough later into the story)

Much to my surprise I’ve stumbled upon this forum and found some terrific advice throughout. Anyhow! 

After drafting various letters to:

The Landowner
The McDonalds who operate on said land
UK Parking Control (in addition to a SAR) 

I have today received the evidence of the alleged offence. This is honestly quite ridiculous.

Allegedly, she was on the property for just under 18 hours… despite the fact we have proof of her vehicle being on not just one but two differing properties during that time! That being photographic and video evidence of her vehicle at work and on our driveway. 

Contained with the documents following my SAR was a truly terrifying threat from UKPC that they would take us to Court. This threat is identical to that verbally given to my girlfriend (I know! She called them prior to contacting me, much to my disappointment!). 

Whilst on the telephone a man she described in a manner I don’t believe would be fit for this forum informed her to “seek legal advice before trying to discuss this any further” apparently when he was informed of my role he quickly withdrew his harshness, which I must say I enjoyed hearing. Typical bully trying to force money out of people.

To finally conclude! I am awaiting a response from the General Manager of McDonalds in the hope he can see some form of sense with the evidence stacking against UKPC and forces the PCN to be cancelled and this taken no further.

We shall however, await such response. 

Le_Kirk

Is the V5C of the vehicle up-to-date with the correct and current address?  Could it have been two visits on the same day to the establishment - known on the forum as double-dipping?

Trainerman

Good that you are using Plan A (McDonalds) and I am pleased to hear of one of these bullies getting the appropriate treatment ! As I think you have realised, you also have a defence on 'double dipping' . As they used to say on Dad's Army .. "they don't like it up 'em", so we stand ready and willing to assist you with the relevant errr insertion !

patient_dream

DannyB1219 said:

Hello all, 

My partner received a lovely letter from the tremendous individuals at Direct Collections Bailiffs LTD on 25/01/2022. 

Much to her surprise they are now seeking £170.00 for an unpaid Parking Notice Charge! A PCN she has not seen nor heard of until the above mentioned date. 

As always, the details provided on said letter are vague and are a simple scare tactic. She’s easily worried and I’m in the legal profession so she “quickly” called me. (You’ll read as to why this wasn’t quick enough later into the story)

Much to my surprise I’ve stumbled upon this forum and found some terrific advice throughout. Anyhow! 

After drafting various letters to:

The Landowner
The McDonalds who operate on said land
UK Parking Control (in addition to a SAR) 

I have today received the evidence of the alleged offence. This is honestly quite ridiculous.

Allegedly, she was on the property for just under 18 hours… despite the fact we have proof of her vehicle being on not just one but two differing properties during that time! That being photographic and video evidence of her vehicle at work and on our driveway. 

Contained with the documents following my SAR was a truly terrifying threat from UKPC that they would take us to Court. This threat is identical to that verbally given to my girlfriend (I know! She called them prior to contacting me, much to my disappointment!). 

Whilst on the telephone a man she described in a manner I don’t believe would be fit for this forum informed her to “seek legal advice before trying to discuss this any further” apparently when he was informed of my role he quickly withdrew his harshness, which I must say I enjoyed hearing. Typical bully trying to force money out of people.

To finally conclude! I am awaiting a response from the General Manager of McDonalds in the hope he can see some form of sense with the evidence stacking against UKPC and forces the PCN to be cancelled and this taken no further.

We shall however, await such response. 

HAHA, DCBL have been taking on these rubbish UKPC claims for a while now but they fail to understand the facts. UKPC will be the downfall of DCBL 

Here is just one DCBL car crash that cost anothe parking company £1000

VCS Caught Issuing PCNs on Public Highway - Hit For £1,000 Counterclaim.... A DCBL CAR CRASH

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6308128/vcs-caught-issuing-pcns-on-public-highway-hit-for-1-000-counterclaim/p1

AND UKPC INVOLVED IN A FRAUD
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35253759

And then there is the Group thread about DCBL
DCBL letters ... forum group thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6237177/dcbl-letters-forum-group-thread#latest

When was the ticket dated and how have DCBL explained the fake £70

Umkomaas

Contained with the documents following my SAR was a truly terrifying threat from UKPC that they would take us to Court. 

What do you think there is to terrify you at the Small Claims Court?

Coupon-mad

Sounds like a double visit, a typical ANPR flaw, see all the advice here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6329077/parking-fine-for-overstay-i-definitely-wasnt-there-all-day/p1

And here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6328330/i-visited-the-car-park-twice-and-was-fined-from-first-entry-to-last-exit/p1

I'd be drafting for your partner, a complaint to the BPA and DVLA (see NEWBIES thread post #5 for DVLA complaint email) saying that UKPC failed to carry out the required/mandatory 'human checks' of ANPR images to find the 'orphan images' in the middle in order to avoid issuing a PCN in the first place and as such, they got DVLA data under false pretences and with zero 'reasonable cause'.

Please ALSO complain about the tone used by DCB Ltd on the phone, who will have recorded that call...

...hey, just a thought!  Email DCB Ltd's Data Protection Officer (see their data privacy page) in the name of your partner and attaching her ID (the car V5C is good) and ask under her SAR rights for the audio recording and case notes of the phone conversation at x time on xx date.

That phone call should be supplied to the DVLA but don't tell DCB Ltd any of that.  Just email asking for it under her SAR rights.

Also, take a look at the second group action by Keller Lenkner v the DVLA, which might be right up your street.

Keller Lenkner’s senior associate says that they are intending to launch a further group action against the DVLA, known as DVLA2 under the heading ‘bad processing’.

They are looking for around 100 potential claimants who fall into any of the following categories:

 

1. PCN issued when valid ticket purchased (this probably includes other 'no breaches', like double dips).
2. Court proceedings issued despite PCN being paid/appealed successfully
3. PCN issued by unregulated car parking company
4. PCN issued against previous owner
5. PCN issued where faulty ticket machine meant individual could not purchase a parking ticket
6. PCN issued against incorrect vehicle (ANPR fault – picked up incorrect reg plate)
7. PCN/Court proceedings sent to wrong address

Here is the original group claim discussed, the new one is specifically for people like your partner:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6290268/dvla-misuse-of-personal-data-under-gdpr-group-action-no-win-no-fee/p1

DannyB1219

Umkomaas said:

Contained with the documents following my SAR was a truly terrifying threat from UKPC that they would take us to Court. 

What do you think there is to terrify you at the Small Claims Court?

As my post mentioned I am within the legal professional myself. All of my cases are handled within the various County Courts. My comment was sarcastic. 

There is trusty nothing terrifying about their threat. 

I rather welcome a court appearance on a matter out of my field of expertise. Would be nice to have a day trip! 

DannyB1219

Le_Kirk said:

Is the V5C of the vehicle up-to-date with the correct and current address?  Could it have been two visits on the same day to the establishment - known on the forum as double-dipping?

Indeed the V5C is and was up to date. 

I do believe it would be “double dipping” in this case. The great thing about this matter is her vehicle is fitted with a tracker.

So between the times her vehicle was allegedly parked on their property she drove a total of 87 miles! That’s a fair few loops of the McDonalds drive thru… 

Redx

DannyB1219 said:

Umkomaas said:

Contained with the documents following my SAR was a truly terrifying threat from UKPC that they would take us to Court. 

What do you think there is to terrify you at the Small Claims Court?

As my post mentioned I am within the legal professional myself. All of my cases are handled within the various County Courts. My comment was sarcastic. 

There is trusty nothing terrifying about their threat. 

I rather welcome a court appearance on a matter out of my field of expertise. Would be nice to have a day trip! 

We would welcome your informed experience and knowledge in some of the other cases on here , it's good to get people who understand these processes etc 😁😁👍👍👍👍

DannyB1219

@Coupon-mad

Thank you very much for the advice my friend! 

I shall draft letters to both as advised. Once settled I’ll let you all know the outcome. 

The way they conduct their “business” is genuinely disgusting and I am truly baffled as to how this is allowed to proceed.

If it wasn’t for the fact she had contacted me worried I believe she would have made the payment of £170 immediately. It’s sad to believe people out there fall for their methods.

Redx

The Private Parking Bill by Sir Greg Knight was given royal assent 3 years ago , we are still waiting for the new mandatory CoP from the dhulg , supposed to be this summer , hopefully to put an end to these shady practices !!

It's long overdue !