DCB Legal/Civil Enforcement Ltd thwarted

smurf24

First post for me on the forum, but I had to register so that I could offer my thanks for all the information on here to help fight parking "fines". Something that started back in late 2021 finally came to an end last week when DCBL/Civil Enforcement Ltd discontinued with less than a month to the court date. At times it was a pain to deal with, but it would have been impossible for me without being able to get everything I needed from this forum. Thank you very much 😁
A particularly sweet moment in the whole process cane when I received one of the usual calls last month to see if I would settle the claim. A number of months ago, before I'd got to the witness statement stage, they offered to settle if I paid them £220. I offered £25 as I could do without the further hassle and I would have been glad to pay that and have it go away at that point. They counter offered £175, so obviously I declined. So, last month they tried again and I told them I had offered £25 months ago and they said no, so they went away and came back with £50 to settle. I said no, so they immediately agreed to £25 and asked me how I'd like to pay. I told them they were clearly desperate and obviously weren't going to take it to court, they'd missed their chance, and I wouldn't be paying them a penny 🤣. 

Coupon-mad

Brilliant!

They begged for £25 and you said no.

People power!

Another one for @Umkomaas

patient_dream

OH WOW ..... It's now the turn of CEL to be let down by this timewasting legal

BUT .... as we know, this is the model of DCBL ... SCARE PEOPLE.. THREATEN THEM ... ISSUE A COURT CLAIM ... WANTING TO DEAL WITH A DISCOUNT ?

When they think you are not a mug .... THEY DISCONTINUE

THE DCBL SCANDAL

Umkomaas

Super victory now included in the DCB Legal disco thread. 👍

smurf24

Well, this has reared it's head again. I've got a letter before claim from Civil Enforcement for the exact same parking "incident". I did notice that I started getting the threatening letters again when it was already on its way to court before and I thought they were just trying the bullying on, but it appears they don't know their backside from their elbow and plan to try again for the same thing. I could do without the hassle of pointing out to them that they have already discontinued this once 🙄

Coupon-mad

smurf24 said:

Well, this has reared it's head again. I've got a letter before claim from Civil Enforcement for the exact same parking "incident". I did notice that I started getting the threatening letters again when it was already on its way to court before and I thought they were just trying the bullying on, but it appears they don't know their backside from their elbow and plan to try again for the same thing. I could do without the hassle of pointing out to them that they have already discontinued this once 🙄

OK - you are not alone:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6411165/civil-enforcement-dcb-legal-claim-form/p3

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6530544/defended-my-case-successfully-to-receive-further-pcns

Please get together by pm and approach the DVLA, the BPA and the ICO as a united front (referring to the other 2 cases and complaining to the same person at the DVLA) because I predict some people affected won't realise and will get CCJs due to this serious DPA 2018 breach.

CEL can't get away with this.  Your 3 DVLA complaints could see CEL suspended from KADOE.

smurf24

Thanks. I'll get started on this pronto

smurf24

I've had a response to my complaint to CEL. Very comprehensive 🤔

Please be informed that there has been some administrative error, and we apologise for the same.

Please note that the claim has been dismissed.

Yours Sincerely,

Coupon-mad

smurf24 said:

I've had a response to my complaint to CEL. Very comprehensive 🤔

Please be informed that there has been some administrative error, and we apologise for the same.

Please note that the claim has been dismissed.

Yours Sincerely,

Please show that to the DVLA and demand they investigate this batch of appalling data breaches.

Be pushy. Insist that they take these cases seriously because you know this isn't just you, and some people will get CCJs from it.  Escalate the complaint to stage 2.

Do not accept the DVLA's standard blurb which will initially read something like this:



Dear victim,

Thank you for your correspondence of date about the release of information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) vehicle register. I have been asked to formally review your case at Step 1 of our complaints procedure.

The DVLA takes the protection and security of its data very seriously and has procedures in place to ensure data is disclosed only where it is lawful and fair to do so and where the provisions of the Data Protection Law are met. The Agency must strike a balance between ensuring the privacy of motorists is respected while enabling those who may have suffered loss or damage to seek redress.

Drivers choosing to park a vehicle on private land do so subject to the terms and conditions set out on signage in the car park. The need to contact individuals who may not have complied with these conditions is, in most circumstances, considered to be a reasonable cause. Data is provided by the DVLA to enable landowners or their agents to pursue their legal rights and to address disputes. I hope you can appreciate that if this were not the case, motorists would be able to park with disregard for the conditions applying with little prospect of being held accountable.

I have investigated this matter with Civil Enforcement Ltd who made the request to the DVLA for the registered keeper details for vehicle registration number ---------, I have had sight of their supporting evidence for the parking charge notice (PCN) in question. Civil Enforcement Ltd have confirmed that, on this occasion, due to an administrative oversight, further correspondence was sent to you in error. Whilst extending their apologies for this, I have been provided with assurances that this issue has now been rectified and that all registered keeper data in respect of the  PCN has been deleted.

To help ensure motorists are treated fairly when any private parking charge is pursued the DVLA discloses vehicle keeper information only to companies that are members of an appropriate Accredited Trade Association (ATA). The purpose of requiring a company to be a member of an ATA is to ensure that those who request DVLA information are legitimate companies that operate within a code of practice that promotes fair treatment of the motorist and ensures that there is a clear set of standards for operators.

The company in question, Civil Enforcement Ltd, are a member of the British Parking Association (BPA) which is an Accredited Trade Association for the parking industry. The BPA’s code of practice is published on its website --------- under the heading “Approved Operators Scheme”.  If a member of this scheme does not comply with the code of practice, it may be suspended or expelled, during which time no data will be provided to it by the DVLA. If you feel that any of the practices used by the company do not comply with the BPA’s code of practice, you may wish to contact the BPA via email------

We have fully considered all the information available. If you feel that your complaint has not been resolved, you can request escalation of your complaint to Step 2 of the complaints process. Further options about our complaint procedure can be found online at ---------