Debt collection notice

pjcw85

I overstayed at a car park near me at a shopping mall because I was buying quite a lot of stuff in Go Outdoors and also because of issues with my children (my son was potty training and had a massive accident, then there was only on available toilet that I had to queue for ages for, also queues at the till). The PCN was sent to the wrong address because I hadn't updated my V5C (only just realised this as I've been researching about how to challenge my fine - have sent it off for updating now). I have now received a Notice of Debt Recovery from a bailiff firm for £170 (more than triple the original amount). I have sent emails to the parking company, the shopping mall, and Go Outdoors explaining what happened and detailing my custom. What are my next steps / do I have any chance?

Thanks in advance

pjcw85

Addendum: The parking company is registered with the BPA, but not for debt collection - I don't really understand what that means but I assume it means the bailiffs won't be knocking on my door and rather it would proceed straight to a small claims court.

Mark_d

I sounds like the court has already rules against you, given that bailiffs have been instructed?

Fruitcake

Please tell us the name of the PPC and the name of the debt collection company. What exactly have you received? A demand for money, a letter of/before claim, or something else?

Plan A is always a complaint from the keeper to the landowner and the keeper's MP. Have you done this yet?

Where did the alleged event occur? It may have cropped up here before.

Have you read the sticky Announcement for NEWBIES yet that will answer most of your questions?

Coupon-mad

Mark_d said:

I sounds like the court has already rules against you, given that bailiffs have been instructed?

They haven't.

You can tell by the facts it's £170 that this is just a pre-action threatogram from DCB Ltd which can be ignored (as long as the OP doesn't move house).

troublemaker22

You must be talking about Direct Collections Bailiffs Limited”. They put “Bailiffs” in their company name to make you think they are acting as bailiffs. They aren’t. They are just buffoons trying to scare you into donating to their coffers. Please now provide the name of the parking company. Even better, show us the parking ticket (the original notice you got from the parking company not the joke letter from DCBL. Redact your name, address, vehicle number and reference but leave all dates showing. 

pjcw85

Fruitcake said:

Please tell us the name of the PPC and the name of the debt collection company. What exactly have you received? A demand for money, a letter of/before claim, or something else?

Plan A is always a complaint from the keeper to the landowner and the keeper's MP. Have you done this yet?

Where did the alleged event occur? It may have cropped up here before.

Have you read the sticky Announcement for NEWBIES yet that will answer most of your questions?

Thanks Fruitcake, I had done the Plan A (except the MP bit) and in between me writing the original post and checking back I had a positive reply.

It was at a Go Outdoors store in Urban Exchange in Manchester, I couldn't find it on any of the lists already posted but there is a lot to look through so I may have missed it. Anyway they have cancelled it now save a £10 admin fee which Go Outdoors have promised to discount me on my next visit, which I'm happy with. Thanks everyone.

pjcw85

troublemaker22 said:

You must be talking about Direct Collections Bailiffs Limited”. They put “Bailiffs” in their company name to make you think they are acting as bailiffs. They aren’t. They are just buffoons trying to scare you into donating to their coffers. Please now provide the name of the parking company. Even better, show us the parking ticket (the original notice you got from the parking company not the joke letter from DCBL. Redact your name, address, vehicle number and reference but leave all dates showing. 

Hi troublemaker22, the parking company is BaySentry, as mentioned above it's been sorted now. You are right about DCBL, it was them! I noticed on the letter it said "This case is not subject to...bailiff action" so I thought it was a bit dodgy!

Fruitcake

Complaints should always be made you a motorist's MP. They are the only ones who can put a stop to this unregulated industry.

Well done on getting your charge cancelled (it is not a fine), and thanks for letting us know. It is important for the forum to get feedback so we know what does and doesn't work and then that information can be used to help other motorists.

The fact that it has been cancelled is proof that it should never been issued in the first place, and therefore good reason to complain to your MP that it should never have been issued, and the PPC should never have been allowed to purchase your personal data from the DVLA.