Please help - Parking charge notice not received, only debt collectors letter.

AntDodd

Good morning all,

Yesterday i had the lovely experience of returning home to a debt collectors letter for an unpaid Parking charge notice. The major problem i have is up to now i have not received any correspondence from any companies in relation to this alleged fine., the debt collectors letter is the first i know about an issue.

I have scoured the internet and this seems to be a very common issue, and that just generating a letter from the parking company is enough under the Protection of freedoms Act 2012 to assume that i have received it. 

My question is what is the best course of action to take now? The debt letter say my only options are to pay, or do nothing which will lead to legal action being taken. Now i have read that apparently they could be powerless, but i want to follow the best course of action as i have proof from my bank statement that the payment was made. 

I have review the Newbies thread but i am still very confused about the best course of action. My thought process is to complain to the parking company by email requesting an 'SAR' whilst also presenting the payment proof of parking on the day. It could be that an incorrect digit/number plate was entered, but payment for parking on that day was definitely made. My fear is what to do about he debt collection company as they are demanding action by a given date, it is likely to be pass by the time i receive anything from the parking company.

Any advice would be gratefully received 

1505grandad

Who is the parking company?

KeithP

The fourth post on the NEWBIES thread explains exactly how to deal with debt collectors letters but to summarise that post - ignore them.

You need to work out why you haven't received anything earlier.
The most likely reasons are - 
1) the vehicle's Registration Document (V5c) has the wrong keeper's address on it, or
2) you have moved house since the parking event.

B789

AntDodd said:

My thought process is to complain to the parking company by email requesting an 'SAR' whilst also presenting the payment proof of parking on the day. It could be that an incorrect digit/number plate was entered, but payment for parking on that day was definitely made. My fear is what to do about he debt collection company as they are demanding action by a given date, it is likely to be pass by the time i receive anything from the parking company.

You have NOTHING to fear from the debt collector and, as you have read, they can be safely ignored as they are powerless to do anything. You definitely need to SAR the PPC. However, do not include a complaint with that request. Just keep it to the SAR. An example of a SAR is here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v29cyfyuglg1ban/subject_access_request3.pdf?dl=0

If you have moved at any time, did you update your V5C logbook with your new address? It is possible that the PPC got an old address off your V5C from the DVLA but the debt collector has performed a soft search of your credit file to obtain a current address. 

You now need to go back and read the Newbies/FAQ thread again and keep referring back to it whenever you have any more questions as that is your reference go-to page.

AntDodd

Thanks all very much for the information so far.

**Update** 

Since receiving the debt letter yesterday i have trawled through our receipts and have come across the parking window sticker from the day. Unfortunately the driver input the incorrect information by way of the wrong VRN. The VRN entered is another car within the household that they normally drive on a daily basis, but on this day they used an alternative car for their journey. it was a genuine mistake and the parking was paid for, just for a car that never entered the carpark.

I have reviewed the Newbies section again but there is nothing covering this scenario. So as i see it i have a few option here:

1) Write and explain to the company and 'Appeal' explaining the situation, and await a response.
2) Write and explain to the company and 'Appeal' explaining the situation and also request the SAR.
3) Just request the SAR with no explanation. 

This is so confusing as to the best course of action. 

KeithP said:

The fourth post on the NEWBIES thread explains exactly how to deal with debt collectors letters but to summarise that post - ignore them.

You need to work out why you haven't received anything earlier.
The most likely reasons are - 
1) the vehicle's Registration Document (V5c) has the wrong keeper's address on it, or
2) you have moved house since the parking event.

Thanks KeithP.
I have checked the V5 and it is in the correct address. I have also lived here for 25+ years so moving is not the issue. I just don't understand why i have not received the PCN, but suddenly i manage to receive a debt recovery letter

B789 said:

AntDodd said:

My thought process is to complain to the parking company by email requesting an 'SAR' whilst also presenting the payment proof of parking on the day. It could be that an incorrect digit/number plate was entered, but payment for parking on that day was definitely made. My fear is what to do about he debt collection company as they are demanding action by a given date, it is likely to be pass by the time i receive anything from the parking company.

You have NOTHING to fear from the debt collector and, as you have read, they can be safely ignored as they are powerless to do anything. You definitely need to SAR the PPC. However, do not include a complaint with that request. Just keep it to the SAR. An example of a SAR is here:



If you have moved at any time, did you update your V5C logbook with your new address? It is possible that the PPC got an old address off your V5C from the DVLA but the debt collector has performed a soft search of your credit file to obtain a current address. 

You now need to go back and read the Newbies/FAQ thread again and keep referring back to it whenever you have any more questions as that is your reference go-to page.

Thanks B789

As i replied to Keith all data checks out, and i did not have a problem receiving the debt letter. The newbie section is fantastic, but i just can't seem to pinpoint the advised process given the circumstances i find myself in. 

Again any help to move this on will be appreciated

Boat_to_Bolivia

Where is this car park. Was it a shop car park?

Which scamming parking company?

Plan A is always to complain to the landowner as explained in the NEWBIES thread.

This is what is described as a Major Keying Error. If you search this forum using those words you will find threads about situations like yours.

B789

AntDodd said:

Since receiving the debt letter yesterday i have trawled through our receipts and have come across the parking window sticker from the day. Unfortunately the driver input the incorrect information by way of the wrong VRN. The VRN entered is another car within the household that they normally drive on a daily basis, but on this day they used an alternative car for their journey. it was a genuine mistake and the parking was paid for, just for a car that never entered the carpark.

So, apart from the NtD that was stuck on your windscreen, have you ever received anything else from the parking company or anyone else about this, except for the recent debt collector letter? How long ago did this parking event take place?

Does the debt collector letter mention on behalf of which parking company they are chasing you?

AntDodd

Boat_to_Bolivia said:

Where is this car park. Was it a shop car park?

Which scamming parking company?

Plan A is always to complain to the landowner as explained in the NEWBIES thread.

This is what is described as a Major Keying Error. If you search this forum using those words you will find threads about situations like yours.

Thanks Boat_to_Bolivia.
It was just a general car park, and from the research i have done it is owned by the parking company so no retailers attached. I would rather not say who it is as  i have read a few posts not too do so on forums.

I will review 'Major keying error' from the posts, thanks.

Boat_to_Bolivia

There is absolutely no problem with telling us which PPC it is. 

Advice can differ dependant on this knowledge. And I can assure you that it is highly unlikely they own the car park.

AntDodd

B789 said:

AntDodd said:

Since receiving the debt letter yesterday i have trawled through our receipts and have come across the parking window sticker from the day. Unfortunately the driver input the incorrect information by way of the wrong VRN. The VRN entered is another car within the household that they normally drive on a daily basis, but on this day they used an alternative car for their journey. it was a genuine mistake and the parking was paid for, just for a car that never entered the carpark.

So, apart from the NtD that was stuck on your windscreen, have you ever received anything else from the parking company or anyone else about this, except for the recent debt collector letter? How long ago did this parking event take place?

Does the debt collector letter mention on behalf of which parking company they are chasing you?

NtD? I'm assuming this is the little ticket you get from the parking machine. No i have not received anything in the post from anybody expect the letter yesterday from the Debt collection agency. The parking offence was on the 13/03/2023 so just over a month ago.

The letter does state who the creditor is, but not sure if i am meant to post names on forums. There have been various post about not posting names for some reason.

Boat_to_Bolivia

Boat_to_Bolivia said:

There is absolutely no problem with telling us which PPC it is. 

Advice can differ dependant on this knowledge. And I can assure you that it is highly unlikely they own the car park.

As above. It is important we know.

NTD is Notice To Driver as in the PCN you were very kindly given.