UKCPS car park - mistakenly escalated to IAS

PurplePaintBox

So I've only in the last few days found these resources for what to do when given a car parking ticket, and it appears I've right royally messed up according to all the forums I have read on here.
Tried to do everything by the book, I appealed with UKCPS, it was declined despite the evidence I gave, I went ahead and appealed via IAS with an insane amount of evidence backing my case, it has been denied, I've appealed the overruling and now I'm waiting on the IAS to get back to me with their presumptive secondary denial.

Got a £60 for parking in a private car park. I know it's a private car park, however it's rarely used, I used it on a day where the business associated with the car park (let's call it PW) was closed to customers to ensure I would not be in the way of potential visitors to the site, my total stay in the car park was 6 mins and I got verbal confirmation from a staff member and car parking permit holder at the business next door that the car park has a "10 minute goodwill leeway gesture" for those using the charity donation drop off bins directly on site.

When I initially got the fine, I went to PW (business associated with the car park) and asked if they could help me out with cancelling it, and I was told that I'd need photographic evidence of my car leaving the car parking spot as the last pic of my car with the brake lights back on/myself in the car provided by UKCPS was not enough - I also confirmed with them that they have a 10 minute leeway window for those using the charity donation bins. Went to UKCPS, they gave me the generic response of all evidence being already submitted to myself. Went *back* to PW explaining this as well as submitting screenshots of my Google timeline from the day showing what time I left the car park, they ignored my messages. Appeal with UKCPS denied, applied for the appeal with IAS. After researching, I stumbled upon the forums listed on here for what to do.
Decided to post a negative review on their Facebook and on Google stating they needed to re-evaluate the private company their parking provider (especially as I am far from the only person who has had fines in this same car parking lot for similar reasons to myself), and the business replied!... Saying that they agree with the company's decision as I "failed to provide evidence that I exited the car park after 10 minutes" (which is not true). I also stated that I have a disability under the Equality act [2010] as I do (ADD and EDS), I haven't applied for a blue badge as of yet and only used the car park as it was the most accessible point for me. Did PW care? Nope. Shouldn't have used their pothole ridden car park while donating to charity.

I've spent the last 2 days none stop reading the forums on here, and at this point I don't know what to do as I did everything by what I thought was the correct protocol, turns out it's falling for the money making scam. This means I confirmed I was the driver, gave UKCPS and IAS my personal details, and have missed the first deadline for paying the £60 fee, which means it's now up to £100. From reading, it looks like the next thing is to just wait to be dragged to court?

I'm pretty terrified. Financially, I'm what you'd call "completely and utterly broke" to the point where, if it wasn't for my student finance covering rent, I'd be homeless. I'm trying to stay calm and rational, but I'm just livid that I thought playing it by the book would be the appropriate way round this, and I'm especially upset that the PW business is refusing to help in any way, shape or form.

Making this post as I've read all the relevant forums on here, but said forums are based on how to tackle this from the start and not what happens from this point. If anyone has any idea on what to expect next, I'd massively appreciate it.

Jenni_D

I'm reporting this thread to ask for it to be moved to the Parking board.

Edit: and I assume this car park was in England/Wales, and your residence is in E/W?

Edit2: thread now in the right place  

Herzlos

The short version of it is that the parking company and the IAS ("Independent" Appeal Service") are totally bent. You've been completely reasonable to this point and can prove it, should it go any further.

Now you've exhausted every avenue beyond a small claims court (which is just an informal room with a judge and both parties), there's nothing really for you to do but wait it out. IF (and it's a big if) they did take you to court, you've got plenty of evidence to show are in the clear, and even if you somehow manage to lose you can't pay them much more than you allegedly already owe. They lose money even if they win in court, because their business model is threats rather than being legally in the right.

You'll get a pile of scary looking letters from debt collectors, just file and ignore anything that isn't from a court or titled "Letter Before Action". With a single incident I doubt they'll go any further.

Your biggest risk is that if you change address before the alleged debt expires, then they may try and take you to court at the old address and thus win by default, resulting in a CCJ (which you can get overturned).

It's not going to result in anyone knocking on your door, reposessing anything, etc.

Umkomaas

Perfect advice from @Herzlos above. Just to add to that, it's around 3 years since we last saw a court claim from UKCPS, and I can't see them getting off their backsides to resurrect 3 years of litigation inactivity in pursuing your case to the county court.

While you need to stay vigilant, I wouldn't let this consume you further. Take note of @Herzlos advice on changing address (any time in the next 6 years). 

Coupon-mad

Yep, ignore UKCPS and the daft debt demands after their mates at the IAS fob you off again.

It's not a fine, and it's only useless ex-clampers UKCPS, who used to have their HQ round the back of the Blooming Rose pub in Leeds, in a portacabin.

Utterly pointless aggressive chancer of a company and nothing to worry about. Not to be taken seriously.