PCN from Car Park's previous PPC

searchedfirsthonestguv

Hi all — long time appreciator, first time poster.

My father started receiving debt collection letters, despite not receiving a PCN 

- As far as we know, he's had a difficult and chaotic few months so I can't be sure

The car park cited is one that the many drivers of the vehicle would pass often

- Amazed they have a camera, and wouldn't be surprised if there was very poor signage

It is possible a driver went in and out at some point 

- Likely to make way for another vehicle on the narrow street on which it lies

I popped round and spotted the PPC (UKPS North West) who issued this (supposedly) in Dec 2023 no longer operates the site, and it is operated by another PPC. Does this invalidate the PPC's claim?

Many thanks!

JoeN1988

I'm not an expert, but i would think that if the PPC are no longer employed by the landowner they have no relevant authority.

Doesn't stop them sending intimidating emails to scare people out of their hard earned though.

Someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to clarify. 

Fruitcake

Nothing invalidates a PPC's claim, unless a judge decides in court. If the PPC had a contract to operate at the time of the alleged event, they can and will continue to issue/pursue PCNs for that after they have been kicked out.

Plan A is still however a complaint from the keeper to the landowner and the keeper's MP, without identifying the driver.

As long as the victim's V5C details were correct at the time of the alleged event, and they have not moved, they can ignore everything unless they get a court claim. If the V5C was not correct at the time, or if the motorist has moved since, or moves home in the future, they need to send a rectification notice to the PPC instructing them to erase their old data and replace it with their current address for service.
Make sure the word I have highlighted is used.

searchedfirsthonestguv

Thanks, appreciate the advice re validity.


Plan A:
I’ve done the MP complaint, thanks!

Struggling to identify the landowner. It is a private car park with no right to park at all, which err is a bit of a local eye sore. Nothing on the new PPC’s signs indicates ownership. Bonus points if you can spot the camera or camera signage.

RE the last bit:
Is there any concern if the keeper was delivered the letter but it never made it to the keeper? My father would not lie but with his issues and the property being live/work and receiving a huge volume of post/mail it is a worry. 

Fruitcake

It is very commo for a keeper not to receive the initial NTK, but successfully receive debt crawler letters and court claims once the appeal periods have passed. Anyone would think it was deliberate. 

As long as there isn't an issue with the keeper's data on the V5C, or the keeper sends a rectification notice to the DPO of the PPC if they move, they should have nothing to worry about. Do check the V5C. Don't just guess that it is correct and was at the time of the alleged event.

The keeper should come back here if the get a Letter of/before Claim or a court claim.

Coupon-mad

I'd ignore the demands because this lot won't sue.  He must tell them if he moves house though, or here's what I would do if he is vulnerable and a bit chaotic with post:

Reply 'as him' (with his agreement) and change his address for service to yours.  Then you can open the letters for him & laugh at them.  No need to mention them to him, unless a court claim arrives within 6 years (unlikely but at least you are better on top of it than he would be, as long as YOU don't move home and not update 'his' service address).

Makes sense?  That's what I'd do.

searchedfirsthonestguv

Thanks @Fruitcake I’ll be sure to get everyone, including him, to look out for a potential claim letter.

The V5C address was definitely correct at the time. 

That does make thanks @c@Coupon-mad and I’d do that, if it wasn’t for the fact I’m currently renting and move relatively frequently, so I’d be slightly concerned about missing a court claim if it did come (though I guess unlikely). He won’t be moving at least.

I actually had a query regarding another PCN, received from major UK tourist attraction that it looks like might be in cahoots with a predatory PPC. Seen online that others have experienced the “major keying error” (like that Excel court case) scam at the same place. Struggling to speak about this without identifying the driver though, could I DM someone? I’d like to formulate a route/template for those less able to fight it.

Nellymoser

You may wish to consider supporting this since V5C address is correct.

So many people don't receive 1st and/or 2nd pcn but the £170 payment due letter often manages to drop through letter boxes. PPCs always claim discounted/full rate pcns/court claim letters were sent though they offer no evidence to prove this.

Since they CHOOSE NOT to provide evidence of posting we must continue to press gov to ensure they do and include it in the new Parking CoP. Please sign/share @jmccabe petition closes 22nd june 2024.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/652355
Require communications from Private Parking companies to be traceable/trackable
Thank you and good luck