PCM High Point Village Hayes (letter from Shakespeare Martineau)

SamDude

Had a few letters from PCM and Trace for a PCN last year. 
I replied at the time rejecting their invitation to pay the invoice, and I didn't state who was driving either. I ignored the subsequent letters and have been filing them away.

The location is outside Hayes and Harlington Station (Elizabeth Line) and is the same as this recent thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80267482

The location has 'no stopping' signs, and it is known for a PCM rep standing in the shadows taking photos of anyone that 'pauses' for a second. I know the area well, and 10/20 seconds is not enough time to stop, read and agree to the terms on the signage.

The local MP is John McDonnell (the ex-shadow Chancellor), but I'm not confident that MPs take these type of issues (PCNs) seriously or with the same effort as regulars on this forum(!)

A letter came through today from Shakespeare Martineau chasing the debt, it looks like another 'serious warning' - but I wanted to check where it sits with the usual timeline.
Checking on other threads about SM there is not a lot of information as they have only come on the scene recently?
The details appear to be correct without any errors as seen with other letters (not sure why the description is blank though??)

What is the next action if anything?

Umkomaas

Debt recovery letter - ignore, see the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement, fourth post.

Whether this will develop further remains to be seen, as you say SM are relatively new to this and I don't recall any of the small handful of cases we've had here to date going beyond the debt recovery stage. 

Come back on this thread if you receive a formal Letter of Claim giving you 30 days to respond or a County Court Claim via the Northampton CNBC. 

patient_dream

Shakespeare Martineau ??? INTERESTING ?
This is a bog standard debt collection letter

I wonder if they realise that in the scam parking industry, debt collectors are powerless and pointless .... it's not their debt and all they can do is pass it back to the PPC  WHEN THEY FAIL TO COLLECT .... which they will from you

They have added a fake £70 for debt collection charges saying it is in the the signs ....   They probably mean the small print that nobody can read, standard from PCM

In a nutshell you are being scammed and Shakespeare Martineau should be ignored

“To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
SHAKESPEAR

Coupon-mad

The local MP is John McDonnell (the ex-shadow Chancellor), but I'm not confident that MPs take these type of issues (PCNs) seriously or with the same effort as regulars on this forum(!)

I am confident.

The law is changing thanks to MPs who spoke out.  It is something that MPs are meant to know about:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8736/

Ignore debt demands.  Keep a close eye on the new law which is coming soon, and certainly rattle your MP's cage to actively support it:

https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/private-parking-code-of-practice-latest-developments/

"The government launched a 10-week private parking code of practice call for evidence on 30 July 2023, alongside a draft impact assessment. The call for evidence closed on 8 October 2023.  The government has said it will issue a further consultation on the options for parking charges and debt recovery fees once the call for evidence is complete."

SamDude

Coupon-mad said:

The local MP is John McDonnell (the ex-shadow Chancellor), but I'm not confident that MPs take these type of issues (PCNs) seriously or with the same effort as regulars on this forum(!)

I am confident.

The law is changing thanks to MPs who spoke out.  It is something that MPs are meant to know about:

Thank you @Coupon-mad - MP contacted.

SamDude

Umkomaas said:

Debt recovery letter - ignore, see the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement, fourth post.

Whether this will develop further remains to be seen, as you say SM are relatively new to this and I don't recall any of the small handful of cases we've had here to date going beyond the debt recovery stage. 

Come back on this thread if you receive a formal Letter of Claim giving you 30 days to respond or a County Court Claim via the Northampton CNBC. 

Thanks - that is what I thought (hoped) - hopefully I won't be back here

Le_Kirk

Information in the NEWBIE sticky (your go to whenever you receive anything) is that REAL letters of/before claim must give 30 days to respond NOT 14 days as yours does and include financial forms (that you never complete).

SamDude

Just a placeholder update, another letter and I think they are mildly cross with me this time?

KeithP

Looks like another debt collector's letter.
As you have masked all the dates, it's difficult to be sure.

Please re-read @Le_Kirk's post of 17 October at 8:40AM.

SamDude

KeithP said:

Looks like another debt collector's letter.
As you have masked all the dates, it's difficult to be sure.

Please re-read @Le_Kirk's post of 17 October at 8:40AM.

Yes it's another chaser (I'm masking the dates out of caution) - they are giving 7 days (not 14) from the date of the letter after which I'll expect another moderately angry letter...

UncleThomasCobley

SamDude said:

Yes it's another chaser (I'm masking the dates out of caution) - they are giving 7 days (not 14) from the date of the letter after which I'll expect another moderately angry letter...

7 days... 14 days... are both irrelevant. 30 days are what is important. Besides... it does say at the top right of the letter "Debt Recovery Department" which is another clue to the fact that this is not an LoC/LBC.