Wrong address on parking fine?

slick490

On 17/03/2023, my father inadvertently missed paying a parking charge at Heathrow airport. 

Surprisingly, we didn't receive any penalty charge notices until 01/09/2023, when my uncle forwarded a PCN addressed to my dad from his own residence. 

It's puzzling because we've always received parking notices at our home address, and my father has never associated his car registration or any other details with my uncle's address.

Debt Recovery Plus is now demanding a payment of £150 since 01/09/2023 (date of notice). I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation. My uncle is understandably upset about receiving these letters, and I'm concerned that any future correspondence might be delayed since it's being sent to his home.

It's worth noting that the car in question was recently written off due to an unrelated incident, so we no longer possess it. I'm wondering if this detail might be relevant… 

Thanks for your time and support guys!

Umkomaas

I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation. 

Very simple. Please read the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement, fourth post, ignore anything DRP send. This won't go anywhere. 

1505grandad

As above.

Also who is the parking company?

KeithP

APCOA yes?

Coupon-mad

slick490 said:

On 17/03/2023, my father inadvertently missed paying a parking charge at Heathrow airport. 

Surprisingly, we didn't receive any penalty charge notices until 01/09/2023, when my uncle forwarded a PCN addressed to my dad from his own residence. 

It's puzzling because we've always received parking notices at our home address, and my father has never associated his car registration or any other details with my uncle's address.

Debt Recovery Plus is now demanding a payment of £150 since 01/09/2023 (date of notice). I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation. My uncle is understandably upset about receiving these letters, and I'm concerned that any future correspondence might be delayed since it's being sent to his home.

It's worth noting that the car in question was recently written off due to an unrelated incident, so we no longer possess it. I'm wondering if this detail might be relevant… 

Thanks for your time and support guys!

I don't think the fact the car was written off recently has caused the address issue.  Get your Dad's V5C out and double check the address on it to be 100% sure.

Then please do this:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80294741/#Comment_80294741

Ring up with Dad sitting next to you in case they need him to authorise you to speak in his behalf because he is vulnerable.  Say you are acting as his litigation friend and are authorised to speak to DR PLUS for him (get him to say "yes" but no more).

DO NOT LET HIM TALK TO DRPLUS (except to confirm he authorises you to speak).

DO NOT LET HIM PAY

DO NOT OFFER MONEY

DO NOT TALK ABOUT FORGETTING TO PAY £5

DO NOT IMPLY OR SAY WHO WAS DRIVING!

Ask horrendous DR Plus this (below) and put the first phone on loudspeaker "so that Dad can hear" and switch on video or audio 'record' on your other phone.

Ask (politely and calmly, to maintain the moral high ground at all times on the call):

- where the address came from - because it wasn't the DVLA?

- will the parking firm reissue the notice to his proper address so he can apoeal it as it says in the new Government Code of Practice?

-  if not, why not? How is that fair?

(Do not raise your voice just push them for answers to ask them to 'justify' what is happening with these awful letters)

- ask why DEBT RECOVERY PLUS has added £70 on top of the PCN? 

- ask why they are not following the new Code of Practice where the Government says the add-ons are to be banned?

- ask them to erase the wrong address and replace it with the right one and to tell the parking firm to do the same;

- tell them he will not be paying because the parking firm need to reissue the PCN and let him appeal.  Ask why he can't.  Push that politely.   Say it feels like a scam.
 
RECORD IT ALL EXCEPT THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU ARE PROVIDING FULL NAME / ADDRESS.

Send your evidence of what they've done to your Dad to the DLUHC.  See linked thread.  It's one email to change the Private Parking World for good.

ALSO SEND THE RECORDING AND THE £170 LETTER PHOTOS TO YOUR DAD'S MP AND ASK HOW THIS IS LEGAL, AND FOR THE MP TO COMPLAIN TO THE AIRPORT ABOUT THEIR FAILURE TO PROVIDE A WAY TO PHYSICALLY PAY £5 WHILST AT THE AIRPORT.  AND ASK THE MP TO ASK ROBUSTLY FOR THE PCN TO BE CANCELLED OR REDUCED TO £5.

slick490

KeithP said:

APCOA yes?

Yes, forgot to mention. Sorry

slick490

Coupon-mad said:

slick490 said:

On 17/03/2023, my father inadvertently missed paying a parking charge at Heathrow airport. 

Surprisingly, we didn't receive any penalty charge notices until 01/09/2023, when my uncle forwarded a PCN addressed to my dad from his own residence. 

It's puzzling because we've always received parking notices at our home address, and my father has never associated his car registration or any other details with my uncle's address.

Debt Recovery Plus is now demanding a payment of £150 since 01/09/2023 (date of notice). I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation. My uncle is understandably upset about receiving these letters, and I'm concerned that any future correspondence might be delayed since it's being sent to his home.

It's worth noting that the car in question was recently written off due to an unrelated incident, so we no longer possess it. I'm wondering if this detail might be relevant… 

Thanks for your time and support guys!

I don't think the fact the car was written off recently has caused the address issue.  Get your Dad's V5C out and double check the address on it to be 100% sure.

Then please do this:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80294741/#Comment_80294741

Ring up with Dad sitting next to you in case they need him to authorise you to speak in his behalf because he is vulnerable.  Say you are acting as his litigation friend and are authorised to speak to DR PLUS for him (get him to say "yes" but no more).

DO NOT LET HIM TALK TO DRPLUS (except to confirm he authorises you to speak).

DO NOT LET HIM PAY

DO NOT OFFER MONEY

DO NOT TALK ABOUT FORGETTING TO PAY £5

DO NOT IMPLY OR SAY WHO WAS DRIVING!

Ask horrendous DR Plus this (below) and put the first phone on loudspeaker "so that Dad can hear" and switch on video or audio 'record' on your other phone.

Ask (politely and calmly, to maintain the moral high ground at all times on the call):

- where the address came from - because it wasn't the DVLA?

- will the parking firm reissue the notice to his proper address so he can apoeal it as it says in the new Government Code of Practice?

-  if not, why not? How is that fair?

(Do not raise your voice just push them for answers to ask them to 'justify' what is happening with these awful letters)

- ask why DEBT RECOVERY PLUS has added £70 on top of the PCN? 

- ask why they are not following the new Code of Practice where the Government says the add-ons are to be banned?

- ask them to erase the wrong address and replace it with the right one and to tell the parking firm to do the same;

- tell them he will not be paying because the parking firm need to reissue the PCN and let him appeal.  Ask why he can't.  Push that politely.   Say it feels like a scam.
 
RECORD IT ALL EXCEPT THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU ARE PROVIDING FULL NAME / ADDRESS.

Send your evidence of what they've done to your Dad to the DLUHC.  See linked thread.  It's one email to change the Private Parking World for good.

ALSO SEND THE RECORDING AND THE £170 LETTER PHOTOS TO YOUR DAD'S MP AND ASK HOW THIS IS LEGAL, AND FOR THE MP TO COMPLAIN TO THE AIRPORT ABOUT THEIR FAILURE TO PROVIDE A WAY TO PHYSICALLY PAY £5 WHILST AT THE AIRPORT.  AND ASK THE MP TO ASK ROBUSTLY FOR THE PCN TO BE CANCELLED OR REDUCED TO £5.

Tried over the course of two days to call them - no answer, call back function not working - absolute nonsense. Was on hold for a total of 2 hours all together.

Going to write to the MP now, but have real doubts about whether or not they will respond to my email unfortunately... 

I've went to court before... Guess im going again for these A*******

UncleThomasCobley

You won't be going to court for APCOA at LHR.

slick490

They actually called back!

The lady on the phone started off polite but then her tone changed when I asked for it to be reissued. They never asked for a name or who was calling - I just gave them the PCN ID 

The reason why they sent to my uncles address was because they completed a trace on the owner as they did not receive any correspondence from us as they sent letters to the original address - to which they confirmed my actual address.  Apparently they sent a letter on 10/07/2023 and then they traced on 13/07/2023.

I asked her to reissue these but she was adamant that she was following the Governments code of practice and mentioned she isnt aware of anything wrong with what they are doing.

I told them I never received the letters and she said well youll have to prove it in County Court.

I asked her what the fees are and she said we charge an additional 10% on the services so the cheeky witch said I'll be able to give you a 10% discount so itll be £135 if you pay it now.

She said she put a note on my file for the call today and it will be going to county court if I dont pay lmao 

She mentioned county court in every possible sentence which !!!!!! me off even more to be honest - im down to fight them even more now smh 

UncleThomasCobley

Was this APCOA you spoke to or a debt collector?

Coupon-mad

slick490 said:

They actually called back!

The lady on the phone started off polite but then her tone changed when I asked for it to be reissued. They never asked for a name or who was calling - I just gave them the PCN ID 

The reason why they sent to my uncles address was because they completed a trace on the owner as they did not receive any correspondence from us as they sent letters to the original address - to which they confirmed my actual address.  Apparently they sent a letter on 10/07/2023 and then they traced on 13/07/2023.

I asked her to reissue these but she was adamant that she was following the Governments code of practice and mentioned she isnt aware of anything wrong with what they are doing.

I told them I never received the letters and she said well youll have to prove it in County Court.

I asked her what the fees are and she said we charge an additional 10% on the services so the cheeky witch said I'll be able to give you a 10% discount so itll be £135 if you pay it now.

She said she put a note on my file for the call today and it will be going to county court if I dont pay lmao 

She mentioned county court in every possible sentence which !!!!!! me off even more to be honest - im down to fight them even more now smh 

And you recorded that so you can include it in your email to the Government (not just your MP)?

THE DLUHC would be VERY interested to see these letters and to hear that DRPlus are apparently refusing to reissue PCNs where a new address us found, yet tell people they are operating under the new Government Code.  And that they reduced it from £150 to £135 and said they add 10% (makes no sense, yhis is just a line).

EVEN IF YOU DID NOT RECORD IT, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE EMAIL YOUR EVIDENCE AND STORY TO THE DLUHC ANYWAY AND COPY IN YOUR MP.

Deadline this Sunday.  I gave you the info.

It is just one email to change the law for next year - and your case will be of interest even if you just tell the DLUHC what they said to you and show the latest intimidating letters.