What to do next - DCP letter

Ezuer

Good morning all,

I have received a 2nd letter from DCP demanding £170 for a parking fine last year and have been ignored so far.

It was a smart parking site and I paid for parking but using a different car park code by mistake so smart parking are at no loss it was the car park across the road ( and have evidence of paying).

What is my next step, I have not complained to anyone as of yet. I did appeal originally through smart parking appeals but got ignored went straight to DCP.

Apologies in advance if this is covered in the newbie post but I’m getting lost with it. 

Coupon-mad

It is covered in the 4th post of the NEWBIES thread.  Ignore DRP.

However, we KEEP hearing this:

I did appeal originally through smart parking appeals but got ignored went straight to DCP.

That's not allowed.

Complain (not appeal) to Smart first, then complain to the BPA if you don't get a POPLA Code.

Ezuer

Hello, appreciate the swift response!

Could you direct me to an example complaint I can send to them?

Coupon-mad

No there isn't one. We hate template complaints!  Horrible idea which detracts from the strength of the complaint.

Ezuer

As you can tell I am a real newbie!

I wouldn’t even know what to write to them without sounding stupid! 

I understand that as SMART never replied to my appeal and that they never gave me a POPLA code this is what I need to complain about?

Coupon-mad

Yes that's it.

Complaint to Smart first (see their website) then to the BPA if Smart don't play ball.

I really hope you DID NOT say who was driving in that appeal?  Newbies FAQS thread tells you why not to say who was driving.

Ezuer

I can’t recall giving my details, all was attached was the receipt for paying at the car park across the road by mistake. ( which was also smart) and explaining they were at no financial loss as I did pay for parking just inputted the wrong code on the app. 

Coupon-mad

Oh no you definitely will have put your details in.  Question is did you imply who parked the vehicle? Huge mistake if so. 

You are meant to appeal as registered keeper, as you now know from reading NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST.

Ezuer

I sent a complaint of to smart last Monday 8/1 comping they never gave me a POPLA code. Had no response so far.

If I did admit I parked the car what are the repercussions now?

I found this forum after the appeal to smart, kicking my self about it now!

Coupon-mad

I did already say:

"Complaint to Smart first (see their website) then to the BPA if Smart don't play ball."

Ezuer

Good afternoon, have received a reply from smart giving me a new POPLA code… and they have attached the letter to my initial appeal which they stated was sent. (I did not receive this).

The letter attached is not dated so they could have wrote it yesterday for all I know.

The letter also states “ as a gesture of goodwill we have reinstated the discount period.”