DRP just texts - But no letters and no detail.

LacquerHead

Hi MSE parking helpers! I have read the newbies thread but think I might have a slightly different issue, although my query does stem from contact by DRP. Firstly I have genuinely had no postal correspondence at all from either a PPC (I assume this is where the trail starts) or neither from DRP. Nor have I had a PCN stuck to my windscreen or any memory of parking in an ANPR area. DRP have however been sending me texts to a work mobile number that has not been freely advertised. The texts originate from 0208 234 6775.  What is strange is that the texts: Do not inform me of exactly who the sender actually is apart from saying DRP (As if I'm supposed to know who they are) Do not call me by name. Do not mention parking. Do not contain the registration number. Do not mention the alleged infringement. Do not tell me who they are acting for. Do not tell me the amount they have invoiced. The first text simply said. DRPL  'DRP have tried to contact you by letter, if you don't contact us now we will treat this as an active choice not to pay. To prevent the matter from escalating please pay now at paydrp.com quoting reference number ******* The second text was very similar except they ask me to contact them on a phone number (0208 234 6775) quoting a strangely different reference number. I have ignored this and many more that followed. The third text actually contained a supposed PCN number and the same payment page. I then received 4 more texts the same as above.  On their last contact attempt I was telephoned from the DRP number, 0208 234 6775 which  went dead on answering, followed immediately by a similar text to those above. I suspect this was a robot call to see if my number was live. This has all taken place over a 10 day period.  The link they provide in the text simply points to a DRP payment page (paydrp.com ) asking how much I'd like to pay, plus a request for all my personal information including my address, phone number, registration etc, etc. I have not responded to this. Firstly I don't know if this whole thing is an elaborate scam, and secondly I don't want to make contact with them at all - Especially as they are asking for sensitive personal information. Surely they should have all of this, or are they expecting me to do the hard work for them! The problem is, I have no idea why DRP are trying to contact me (If it is indeed DRP the debt collectors) and who they are acting for, or what exactly the alleged infringement is. For the record, I have not moved house for over 6 years, my correct details are on the electoral register and I have not changed car for over 2 years and the V5 document has the correct address. The V5, from memory, was handled correctly by a main dealer during the part exchange. I also transferred a private plate (Which I have owned for around 8 years) to my current vehicle over 2 years ago. So my question to you helpful people is, what would you suggest I do? I would like to find out who the PPC is so I can at least start a defence but I can't do this without making contact with DRP.  What I don't want to happen is to find out I have a stealth CCJ issued that will remain unpaid because its sent to an incorrect address. OR perhaps DRP just have an incorrect phone number?  Saying that, I would hope the courts do their due diligence to make sure a CCJ is sent to the correct address. (?) Everything goes against the general advice of ignoring these parasites but I'm in a sort of catch 22 position. Thanks for any advice in advance and sorry my question is a bit long winded.

Fruitcake

It's a scam. Block their 'phone number(s) although they may continue the scam calls by using different numbers from which to call/text. Keep a log but otherwise ignore them.

I did a reverse look up of the 'phone number using one of the whocallsme/whocalledme type online websites, and tt looks like another debt collection scam where the scammer is pretending to be, and using information from other companies including debt collectors and parking companies.

Coupon-mad

I expect this really is DRP and the problem with the missing letters is likely due to your car logbook (registered address for the vehicle) not being updated when you moved.

Go and dig out your V5C.  That address is where the letters are.

LacquerHead

Thanks for the quick replies. Very confusing and despite the 'who called me records', the number does match that of DRP and paydrp does redirect to debt recovery plus so its either a very elaborate scam (possibly) or as Coupon-Mad says, the V5 was not updated. I'm pretty sure it was but I guess I'll have to call the DVLA to see if they can give me a date. The correct address is on the current V5 and has been for at least 2 years. 

Would the advice be to still ignore DRP? Or contact them with the correct address so at least when they refer the case back to the PPC, they will have the correct address to follow up?

Or I guess I could try the previous address but I moved from there over 6 years ago!    

Coupon-mad

The date last printed is shown on a V5C

Brie

If they are a legit debt collection company then they will likely be accessing your credit history so even if they only have an old address they will be able to find your current one.  So they should be able to send you a letter.  

My suggest is for you to also look at your credit history and see if there's anything lurking on there.  And look at it again in 3 - 4 months.

You could of course try to send them a letter by snail mail (NOT email and do NOT phone) and say you've received messages by text but don't know who they are or why they are bothering you so please stop immediately.  If they then continue you could say they are harassing you.  

LacquerHead

Coupon-mad said:

The date last printed is shown on a V5C

Yes, it is late 2021 when I took ownership of my latest car and the V5C has the current home address on it from purchase, but I got through 2 more cars within 4 years but they were all registered to to my current address as well via main dealers. The only vehicle I brought from another address to my new address might have had a very short overlap after the move before updating the V5C, so it may be that one but that would have been near on 6 years ago!

I've absolutely no idea how I find out though without contacting DRP to get the details, which again goes against all of the advice given here.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find out about a PCN presumably from a PPC without going via a debt recovery company? Bearing in mind I have no intention of paying their invoice.

Brie said:

If they are a legit debt collection company then they will likely be accessing your credit history so even if they only have an old address they will be able to find your current one.  So they should be able to send you a letter.  

My suggest is for you to also look at your credit history and see if there's anything lurking on there.  And look at it again in 3 - 4 months.

You could of course try to send them a letter by snail mail (NOT email and do NOT phone) and say you've received messages by text but don't know who they are or why they are bothering you so please stop immediately.  If they then continue you could say they are harassing you.  

My instincts are telling me it is DRP but I take your point, its strange that they have not checked me out more thoroughly via credit checks. I have checked my history and nothing unusual there as we speak.

My biggest problem here is that I don't really want to check in 3-4 months only to find I have an unpaid CCJ against my file, but then I'd be very surprised if the courts would be gullible enough to have one issued against an old address that a debt collection agency provided?.

Anyway, I guess the only way to dispute whatever it is that DRP allegedly have on me and who instructed them is to somehow find out and I'm open to suggestions as to how I do this.

Thanks.    

KeithP

LacquerHead said:

...I'd be very surprised if the courts would be gullible enough to have one issued against an old address that a debt collection agency provided?

You have misplaced faith in HM Courts Service.

What you describe happens all the time.

Parking company sends letters to old address and gets no replies.
Parking company then issues Claim at the old address.
Not surprisingly, the Claim goes unchallenged and a Default Judgment is awarded to the parking company.
Miraculously, the parking company then do a search and find their victim and demand their ill-gotten gains from him/her.

LacquerHead

KeithP said:

LacquerHead said:

...I'd be very surprised if the courts would be gullible enough to have one issued against an old address that a debt collection agency provided?

You have misplaced faith in HM Courts Service.

What you describe happens all the time.

Well thats pretty criminal in its own right 

So, as I'm being well and truly backed into a corner, could someone please advise what my options are if:

Letters were indeed sent to an old address by a PPC and DRP for payment of an alleged parking infringement that must have happened around 6 years ago. 

I feel if I sit here doing nothing with no clear case information and ignoring DRP texts, then as KiethP advises, the process could escalate to CCJ stage and I'd be none the wiser.

What would the knowledgable ones on here do in my position? 

JerryJ64

There is not much you can do if you do not want to communicate with DRP, as is the normal advice on here. Apart from checking your credit record to see if a CCJ has been issued against you, which if there was one, you could get it set aside but the hassle of that is a real headache unless it can be avoided.

Make sure you keep a record of all those texts from DRP should this evolve into a court claim. As long as you are there to be found, if the claimant or their solicitor issue a claim, they should have used the correct diligence to find the correct address for service.

Whilst it is not advised to contact any debt collector who is an uninvolved third party to any alleged breach of contract, it may be worthwhile sending DRP a "debt validation letter" requesting proof that the alleged debt is legitimate and what right they have to try and collect it. This may help ensure that the alleged debt is valid before taking any further action. Wait and see what other more experienced forum members advise though.

LacquerHead

Thank you JerryJ64.

I don't actually mind contacting them but I have no intention of paying them. I simply need the information they hold on me and what their invoice relates to.

I've just taken a drive to my old address and they said they have not received any mail for me, I was a long shot and of course it could have been binned long ago.

I would really appreciate a little help on what to do next. Is some form of Debt Validation Letter as JerryJ64 suggests a good idea? If so I could do with a couple of hints on what to write.

Thanks in advance.