Civil Enforcement Ltd Declined appeal despite proof of payment

fiestykax · 22 February 2024 at 4:15PM

Hey,

So 12 months ago I parked in a car park in Warrington, I was living in Wigan at the time and never been there before, and I was paying for 24hr parking whilst I visited a friend.
It was night-time, I struggled to read the sign in the dark and I didn't have my glasses, when I did manage to I downloaded the app needed, registered my details, added my bank card and paid for the parking.
A few weeks later I got a parking fine notice from Civil Enforcement ltd I was furious called them or tried multiple times to call them eventually emailing them an appeal sending them proof of payment from the app.
Civil enforcement declined the appeal stating the payment was more 15 minutes after entering the car park.
I attempted to seek support from them politely and they would not accept my pleas.
The charge escalated to £170 and they have forwarded the case to QDR Solicitors who I spoke to on the phone and explained my case, even asked them to seek out CCTV to prove I did leave the car park whilst trying to download the app and pay.
Sadly I am now getting almost 2 daily emails from the company stating that I must pay the £170 or be forced into legal action where I will have to pay more money for legal support and in their opinion lose so MUST pay the fine.
I have read many exerts on here and other online forums now with regards to these COWBOYS who are fraudulently harassing and pursuing people despite there often being legitimate evidence to suggest they are in fact wrong.
I recently contacted POPLA who advised that the PCN now expired obviously as its been over a year later.
Is there anything else I can do here?
I have the receipt taken from the app proving I paid for parking that night.

MeteredOut · 22 February 2024 at 4:19PM

I've asked for this to be moved to the https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/parking-tickets-fines-parking board where you'll get brilliant support.

In the meantime, do not fret - very unlikely you'll have to pay this.

MSE_ForumTeam5 · 22 February 2024 at 4:32PM

Moved as per @MeteredOut's suggestion

Trainerman · 22 February 2024 at 4:36PM

You really do not want to speak to these people on the 'phone. They will try to bully you into paying and/or trick information out of you.

For clarity, before getting too deep, are you saying that the vehicle left site before returning and then you paid ?

fiestykax · 22 February 2024 at 5:03PM

Trainerman said:

You really do not want to speak to these people on the 'phone. They will try to bully you into paying and/or trick information out of you.

For clarity, before getting too deep, are you saying that the vehicle left site before returning and then you paid ?

No it just took a while to complete the steps necessary to pay I couldn't find a sign or meter, then when I did it was hard to read as I didn't have my glasses, then download the app it goes on and on.

Apologies I think I'm on the right thread now