PCN - not even my car!

notting

I've been sent PCN notice. Alleged contravention was using a drop-off zone without making a valid payment.

A photo has been included - however, the car is not my car ( I can tell because the car isn't the same make!). Neither me nor my wife were driving at all that day. 

 However, the "zoomed in" photo of the number plate, *is* the reg of my car. Very suspicious that they're using some type of AI to enhance the photos and it's got it wrong.

Wait 25 days, then send the standard template in the Newbies post? Or something different?

Umkomaas

Which parking firm?

notting

The company is APCOA

Mouse007

notting said:

 However, the "zoomed in" photo of the number plate, *is* the reg of my car. Very suspicious that they're using some type of AI to enhance the photos and it's got it wrong.

A couple of days ago I treated myself to a new second hand car. The front number plate is cracked so decided to replace it. Halfords wanted proof of ownership, paperwork etc. Amazon at half the price didn't care, I could order whatever I wanted. Apparently my new number plates are now made and on their way to me.

Why are you assuming AI got it wrong? Perhaps you should be reporting this to the Police and get yourself a crime number. If there is another car out there using your registration number you need it to be found and removed from the roads before you get any more of this nonsence.

notting

Mouse007 said:

notting said:

 However, the "zoomed in" photo of the number plate, *is* the reg of my car. Very suspicious that they're using some type of AI to enhance the photos and it's got it wrong.

A couple of days ago I treated myself to a new second hand car. The front number plate is cracked so decided to replace it. Halfords wanted proof of ownership, paperwork etc. Amazon at half the price didn't care, I could order whatever I wanted. Apparently my new number plates are now made and on their way to me.

Why are you assuming AI got it wrong? Perhaps you should be reporting this to the Police and get yourself a crime number. If there is another car out there using your registration number you need it to be found and removed from the roads before you get any more of this nonsence.

Worked with AI for the last few years and seen how badly it often works in the real world!

You've given me some food for thought though - I hadn't even considered that someone may be using my number plate.

Umkomaas

You've given me some food for thought though - I hadn't even considered that someone may be using my number plate.

Possible, but much more likely a misread of the numberplate. Maybe a bolt placed near a letter (like a C that now looks like a G), or given the weather I understand you're having, some road muck that's messed up the read.

What make/model of car is showing on the photos. What make/model is shown in the NtK description?

Half_way

ANPR mis read with "digital enhancement" is more likely than a cloned plate.

  even more so if the make/model etc are completly different.

There is a very basic free to use check to see if a number plate matches the vehcile type/model and that is here  : https://vehicleenquiry.gov.uk/ 

 If the vehicle in the anpr capture is clearly not the same as the one in the DVLA check then there is obviously an issue and this is a basic check the pakring comanies should be carrying out as part of their required due dillegence obligations under GDPR.

So the big question is, is the car in their pictures the same make/model/colour as your vehcile? yes or no

And where was this so called incident / vehcile pictured?

Coupon-mad

This will be Heathrow.

Send this to APCOA by way of appeal:

Dear APCOA,

You have obtained my data without reasonable cause and will be reported to the DVLA.

I will also complain to my MP and your client, Hearhrow Airport, if this PCN is not cancelled with a profuse apology.  Neither me, my family, nor our car were anywhere near Heathrow in the stated date.

The images are not of my car, which is a xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx (see attached cropped photo of my V5C showing the make & model of my vehicle). Your photos show a xxxxxxxx.  Now either my car's been cloned (unlikely) or the other car has a bolt or dirt obscuring a digit or two and your back room staff have been over-enthusiastic with their photoshop enhancement 'guesswork' (most likely).

If you really want to push this to POPLA the above complaints will be made and I'll win on 'no keeper liability' anyway, won't I, because the NTK is non-POFA. Off you go back under your stone.

Fruitcake

Plan A is always to complain to the landowner and your MP about this data breach. I would do this even if it is cancelled.
Also complain to the BPA and DVLA. Point out that the BPA require manual checks to be carried out before a PCN is issued, which have obviously not been done since the make and model of the vehicle in APCOA's image clearly does not match that of the V5C details.

Once you have had responses from APCOA and the DVLA, complain to the ICO about their data breaches.

In all complaints, point out that the UK Government prohibits the use of ANPR cameras for car park monitoring as they are not fit for purpose. Your case is one of the reasons why, and one of the many reasons why the government should prohibit unregulated private parking companies from using  ANPR for car park monitoring.