15 year old needs help with PCN English is not Dads first language.

sourcrates

For some unknown reason I have been unable to move this post, so the gist of it is here, it was started here: trace debt recovery - Page 2 — MoneySavingExpert Forum I have had to copy and paste the most important bit, any help for this lad please.

sullyftpp Posts: 5 Newbie 

Today at 7:23PM

Alright so basically in may i think my dad went to the gp and parked his car there because he had an appointment at the gp. There is a space to write your vehcle registration and he didn't do it, he went there 3 times so he got 3 parking charges I think or parking ticket, i dont really know. But we got a letter from the trace group saying their client hired them or something and there was a discounted price but since we didnt pay its gone up. Now there is a letter saying they're going to contact their soliciter in 2 weeks if you don't pay and im involved because I'm the only one in my family who can really read letters and stuff.  

Fruitcake

sullyftpp  well done on helping your dad. You are now in the right place to get help.

Trace are powerless debt collectors and can safely be ignored.

Plan A is always a complaint from the registered keeper to the landowner, and the keeper's MP. You can help with that by acting as interpreter, but it must be done in the keeper's name, in writing.
If the GP surgery has a PPG (Patient Participation Group) then start with them. If not, then complain to the practice manager and/or the senior partner.

For the keeper's MP, use the Write to Them website.

WriteToThem - Email your Councillor, MP, MSP, MS, MLA or London Assembly Member for free

If debt collectors are involved, then it's too late to appeal unless a NTK (Notice to Keeper) was never received.

Which PPC (Private Parking Company) issued the original parking charge.

Coupon-mad

And you can IGNORE Trace.

sullyftpp

It was countrywide parking management I think but I'm free to ignore all letters they send?

Fruitcake

No. You are free to ignore powerless debt collectors such as Trace, ZZPS, Debt Recovery Plus, DCB Limited etcetera.

You mustn't ignore a Letter of/before Claim from the parking company or solicitors such as DCB Legal Limited or Gladstones etcetera.

Plan A is still the best solution.

fisherjim

I would go to the surgery with your dad and explain the situation to the practice manager, tell them you have consulted someone on this and you have been advised that they can cancel this unfair charge.

Suggest they should have assisted your dad with their confusing set up, which he would have difficulty in understanding and was thus at a disadvantage caused by them. 

They may try to redirect you to the parking company explain you know that they are just an unregulated contractor that the surgery is responsible for engaging, your dad was a legitimate client of theirs and should not be put through this unfair pressure that he doesn't understand.

Coupon-mad

sullyftpp said:

It was countrywide parking management I think but I'm free to ignore all letters they send?

All £170 demands can be safely ignored.

But make Dad show you every single one (no need to show us though!).

Dad MUST email to tell Countrywide and their Debt agents if he moves house.  He cannot risk missing a claim form.

Come back here on this thread if Dad gets a Letter of /before Claim or a Claim Form.

sullyftpp

how will i know if it's a claim form?

RAS

The header on the letter says "Letter before Action"

The claim form comes from the court, very often the Northampton bulk processor. You need to see everything in a brown envelop with an address window.

Coupon-mad

sullyftpp said:

how will i know if it's a claim form?

Have a look at Google images for what it looks like.

Come back here if any letter has the word CLAIM in the heading (not just in the threatening wording of bog standard demands!).

sullyftpp

ok thank you Ill come back if there is any.