Gladstones text message. Where do I get the detail

SteveLAW58

I've had two text messages from "GLADSTONES" a week apart (attached) stating I have a £160 debt. I've no idea what this is in reference to as I can't recall receiving any letter or other correspondence, but assume it is to do with a parking charge. I've put my VRN in with the reference number and it seems to have registered  with matched details. 

Assume this is in relation to a private parking company - but I haven't had a letter with any detail. 

Any advice on where I go from here? 

Gr1pr

Check your V5c and driving licence are up to date, especially if you have moved , because you probably can't get a Letter to the correct address until you inform them 

Email a SAR type request to the DPO at Gladstones, with any reference numbers and VRM details etc, to request everything they have regarding your data, especially because they sent an unsolicited text to your phone number 

So similar to this recent case 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6538168/pcn-received-due-to-ticket-paid-late#latest

Coupon-mad

SteveLAW58 said:

I've had two text messages from "GLADSTONES" a week apart (attached) stating I have a £160 debt. I've no idea what this is in reference to as I can't recall receiving any letter or other correspondence, but assume it is to do with a parking charge. I've put my VRN in with the reference number and it seems to have registered  with matched details. 

Assume this is in relation to a private parking company - but I haven't had a letter with any detail. 

Any advice on where I go from here? 

The letter will be at your old address where your car was/is registered. Go there and get your post then URGENTLY tell Gladstones to erase the old address, or a Court Claim will go there (this is how people get a CCJ).

Any parking firm Court claim is easy to defend but not if you don't receive it.

No paying.  Go and get the letter(s).

SteveLAW58

I've not changed address. Assume then that the letter never arrived or binned by a family member. What difference would that make?

Coupon-mad

Means you'll have to register on Gladstones portal and ASK THEM for a copy of the missing letters.

Are you certain about the address on your V5C? Could be a PCN from 5 years ago...

SteveLAW58

Yeah, 100% on the Vehicle Documents. 

I have sent a general enquiry via their website asking for more information and missing letters. Automated reply says it will be reviewed within 28 days. 

Gr1pr

You definitely do not want family members binning your mail, the next one could be a court claim, leading to a default CCJ 

Get a copy from Gladstone's, like the person in the thread I linked 

Coupon-mad

Why would a family member bin mail not in their name? I would never do that and still get quite a few letters arriving at the 'Mothership' as my sprogs call the house.

SteveLAW58

No idea but either way don't have the information I need. As advised, I've contacted Gladstone and asked them for the information they have. I can then go on to next steps once I hear back from them.

SteveLAW58

Hi. I sent the template letter in the newbies thread (post 2). I instantly received this response... Could some advise please.

Good Morning,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

1. The Amount Due/ Debt includes £60.00 claimed by our Client for the time/resources spent facilitating the recovery of the unpaid parking charge notice(s) pursuant to its ATA’s Code of Practice and the Terms and Conditions of the Contract, which was entered into upon the driver of the vehicle entering the Relevant Land. The amount is a pre-determined and nominal contribution to our Client’s losses as a direct result of your non-payment. VAT is not applicable as the parking charge notice which was issued to you is a contractual charge.

   

2. Motorists can park on the site in accordance with the terms and conditions on the sign, without incurring a charge but to park without incurring a charge they may need to display a permit; purchase a pay and display ticket; become an authorised user, it is whatever the sign states. If a motorists wishes to park ‘as they please’ within reason, they can do so but pay a charge for this ‘privilege’, the charge is set out on the signs and by a motorist parking otherwise than in accordance with the signs they accept the charge at the point of parking and a valid contract is formed. The charge is due within 28 days of being incurred, if the charge remains unpaid after this date the contract the motorist entered into is breached and a debt is owed to our Client, they are then entitled to damages that have occurred as a result of the breach.

 

Please note the file has been on hold since the matter was passed to this firm and you have been given ample time to seek advice therefore it will not be held again

As previously stated in absence of full payment within the time frame specified, we suggest you follow the steps on the Claim Form upon receipt of the same.

 

Kind Regards,

Coupon-mad

Time to report them to HMRC for VAT concerns. Search the forum.  Copy the wording. Easy! Takes 10 minutes online and causes problems for the industry.

An admin or debt recovery £60 fee is not VAT-exempt.