Smart Parking PCN not received, escalated to debt recovery within a month

Coupon-mad

EmmaJaney said:

On 2nd March I received a letter (dated 26th February) from Debt Recovery Plus telling me I had an unpaid PCN from a contravention on 1st January. I have not received any PCN, none on the vehicle etc and contacted DRP immediately using their 'request a call-back' function. I appealed the PCN with Smart Parking, although really what I asked for was any evidence that a PCN had been issued.

No call back came from DRP, so I phoned and spoke to a woman who told me that it takes 28 days for info to come through on their system. Great system. She told me the PCN was issued on the 19th January (so 18 days after the alleged contravention, and just 38 days before DRP issued a demand for £170).

Just updating progress so far (very little).
The landowner (well, actually the beneficiary of the fees) has helpfully responded to say they will take it up with the relevant parties, the MP acknowledged but left it with them. I have also complained to the BPA. Smart Parking themselves came back to say that they didn't think my complaint was a complaint, even though I had said 'This is a complaint about your processes and failure to comply with the Code of Practice'. Oh and I contacted Watchdog, as per suggestion somewhere on here. 

Same as all these:

Something of a pattern, eh?  

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6524609/smart-parking-major-keying-errors-appeal-no-response-debt-recovery-plus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80511826/#Comment_80511826

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80511533/#Comment_80511533

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80719312/#Comment_80719312

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6513559/smart-parking-notice-and-debt-recovery-plus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6506021/smart-parking-and-debt-recovery-plus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80514282/#Comment_80514282

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6489447/smart-parking-ltd/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6489424/smart-parking-didnt-responded-for-appeal

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6525173/smart-parking-penalty-error-and-now-debt-collector-letter

I suspect this might be DR Plus causing it.  Smart have blamed DR Plus before. I suspect they do the back office appeals for Smart and just deliberately or negligently, they (or Smart) drop the ball in a lot of cases and overlook appeals.

Smart Parking had a similar 'problem' once before, and had to admit it to the BPA.

Coupon-mad

Coupon-mad said:

EmmaJaney said:

Just updating progress so far (very little). The landowner (well, actually the beneficiary of the fees) has helpfully responded to say they will take it up with the relevant parties, the MP acknowledged but left it with them. I have also complained to the BPA. Smart Parking themselves came back to say that they didn't think my complaint was a complaint, even though I had said 'This is a complaint about your processes and failure to comply with the Code of Practice'.Oh and I contacted Watchdog, as per suggestion somewhere on here. So that's where we are. Thanks again all for advice, will keep you posted.

Same as all these:

Something of a pattern, eh?  

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6524609/smart-parking-major-keying-errors-appeal-no-response-debt-recovery-plus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80511826/#Comment_80511826

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80511533/#Comment_80511533

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80719312/#Comment_80719312

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6513559/smart-parking-notice-and-debt-recovery-plus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6506021/smart-parking-and-debt-recovery-plus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80514282/#Comment_80514282

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6489447/smart-parking-ltd/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6489424/smart-parking-didnt-responded-for-appeal

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6525173/smart-parking-penalty-error-and-now-debt-collector-letter

Smart have blamed DR Plus before. I suspect they do the back office appeals for Smart and - perhaps deliberately or more likely negligently - they (or Smart) drop the ball in a lot of cases and overlook appeals. Or use a system that isn't fit for purpose

Smart Parking had a similar 'problem' once before, and had to admit it to the BPA.

What happened in the end?

Smart are still playing this game of either (seemingly) not sending NTKs at all, and/or not replying to appeals, then DR Plus send a £170 demand:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6568195/smart-parking-again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81106666/#Comment_81106666

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6570875/smart-parking-incorrect-evidence

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6570443/ignoring-a-drp-for-a-parking-fine-from-smart-parking

Successful complaint shown here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6570827/smart-parking-have-not-responded-to-my-appeal-update-appeal-just-accepted

Not suggesting that this is deliberate but it isn't resolved and it IS a pattern (a course of repeated conduct) and it would be, in theory, very easy money to stage this situation.

That would pick off people who would be scared and cornered into paying £170.

Smart have, more than once, blamed a 'technical error' when sussed and investigated by the BPA, who just let them sweep it under the carpet each time.  But what about all the cases where people don't know what to do, and pay?