“Letter of Claim” from dcb legal. Overstaying in a Retail Car Park

shard

Hello all

“Letter of Claim” from dcb legal.

The letter is related to a PCN issued by UKPC in December 2019, for overstaying less than 20 minutes in a two-hour free retail car park in Lewisham, SE London. There were pictures of my car showing the times of entering and leaving the car park.

I approached UKPC and informed them that I was not the driver, and refused to name the driver. Also explained that it was Christmas eve and all retail stores were very busy and there were long  queues at the checkout positions, and the driver did not know about the time restriction. There was also congestion in the car park which resulted in unnecessary and unavoidable overstaying.

UKPC suggested that I should appeal with POPLA, which I did, but unfortunately POPLA needed evidence, e.g. photos to support my claim. I wondered how many people in such circumstances would take out their mobile to take photos of people queuing at check outs, or take photos of the congested car park.

Following this, I received letters from multiple debt collectors.

1.    Zenith collections – three letters – I ignored them all.

2.    Debt recovery plus  - two letters. I replied the second one using a template from this forum, informing them “…… you should note that this charge is disputed, and you must now refer this matter back to your client and cease and desist all further contact with me. Failure to do so will result in a complaint to the Credit Services Association” . I did not hear from them thereafter.

3.    DCB Limited – four letters- between April 21 and July 21, I did not answer any.
and last letter from DCBLegal dated 23 February 2023, titled “LETTER OF CLAIM”. Not answered yet.

I requested SAR from UKPC and they provided me with details.

I have been through the forum re Letter of Claim, and my understanding is that I should NOT ignore it.  I am however still looking for an appropriate sample/ template letter I could use/ adopt as a reply. I would very much appreciate any advice and guidance, or other’s experience on a similar case.

I have written to one of the retailers asking to interfere with UKPC to cancel the charges, still waiting for their reply.

B789

Welcome, you have obviously read the Newbies thread before and followed the advice. Now, please re-read this post in the Newbies thread, the bit just after the SAR paragraph about emailing the solicitor:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/64350585/#Comment_64350585

Also, if you follow the advice and defend robustly, this is the predicted outcome of this claim:

DCB LEGAL RECORD OF PRIVATE PARKING COURT CLAIM DISCONTINUATIONS

Coupon-mad

Just respond and tell DCBLegal you are seeking debt advice (as per the NEWBIES thread).

Sit back and await the court claim, if the retail park refuse to cancel this aggressive crap.

You WANT a claim from DCBLegal because you can then just adapt the defence by @Johny86 and later this year, DCBLegal will discontinue the claim if you defend well and follow our advice.

shard

Thanks for your comments/ insight @Coupon-mad and @B789. 
I sent an email to DCBLegal three days ago stating:

1.  I am seeking debt advice but I deny any debt and the case must be put 'on hold' for not less than 30 days under the PAP for debt claims 2017.

2.   I have requested a SAR from your client, UK Parking Control Limited.(This has been received)
--------------
I have not received a reply from DCBLegal, yet. 

The Letter of Claim indicates that I should "Complete the Reply Form and financial statement" on their website. Any advice on what to put on the Form? financial statement? Is there any link in the NEWBIES dealing with these? 

Coupon-mad

You aren't expecting a reply.  There's nothing to reply to!  Forget it for now.  Get on with your life.

Yes, the NEWBIES thread does tell you what to do with those forms...obviously you don't fill in your financial data!

shard

Hi all
Just to let the forum know that I found out who the Landowners of the car park was/is - Legal & General. I wrote to them on 15 March 2023 and got a positive reply today 17/3/2023. It reads;
"Hi xxxxx

I hope you’re well!

To confirm this PCN has now been cancelled.".

Thanks for the info and guidance I got from this forum.

Coupon-mad

Great news!  Forward that to DCBLegal and tell them to cease and desist.

shard

Yes, great news and a graet relieve. Shows that there are still genuine and fair people around, if we look for/ approach them. I did send an email to DCBLegal site - same wording, see if tey reply!!

Once again, thanks for the excellent guidance from the forum.

Grizebeck

shard said:

Yes, great news and a graet relieve. Shows that there are still genuine and fair people around, if we look for/ approach them. I did send an email to DCBLegal site - same wording, see if tey reply!!

Once again, thanks for the excellent guidance from the forum.

Good did you just forward the cancelation email

shard

No, I informed them that the landowner "confirm this PCN has now been cancelled.".

Grizebeck

shard said:

No, I informed them that the landowner "confirm this PCN has now been cancelled.".

You were advised to forward the email....