PCN - Unauthorised parking

jase42001

Hello & morning all!

A little bit of context....

We went away last 2 weeks of August for our annual leave, and on return to our residence I was shocked to receive a letter stating that my car had been unlawfully parked at a carpark (previously free).

I immediately completed an appeal (end of August) to which I received an email from Smart parking dated 2nd September stating appeal acknowledged etc. I hadn't heard anything since this appeal.  Within the appeal I stated that the Car was a family car and I couldn't identify who was the driver of the vehicle at the time of offence (photo of car was sent on original PCN).

Anyway over the weekend I received this -

(Image removed by Forum Team)

The original fine on the paperwork was £70, however now risen to £170.  What are the chances that this is enforceable and it will follow the legal route?  I have looked down the sticky thread but am a little worried as my case may not fit in with the same criteria?

This letter of claim was sent in my name, however I haven't identified as driver within the appeal stating that it is a family car etc.

Thanks all in advance for your valuable assistance.

Sorry if in wrong forum and if so could admin please move if not appropriate.

Thanks

DE_612183

should be moved to the parking board - if you go to the parking board you will see a newbees thread - read that and that will help you out.

jase42001

Thanks DE if relevant Mods could move for me I'm at my wits end 

Abbafan1972

@jase42001 you still have your parking charge number showing and your car registration number 

MSE_ForumTeam5

Moved to Parking board and removed image containing personal info 

Coupon-mad

Even without the image of the latest letter, I am going to say this is yet another example of receiving a silly DR Plus letter to laugh at, whilst never receiving a reply to an appeal.

Happens too often (only with Smart Parking) to be a coincidence.

Just do what everyone else in your shoes has done. Complain. Search the forum for:

Smart Parking Debt Recovery Plus appeal

jase42001

Hello all, I appealed this case back in December 2024 stating that I didn't know who had been the Driver etc. and also as I was away etc.  No form of response received after my appeal.

I also contacted the Charity Shop as wife occasionally drops Charity bags off i.e. just pulls up and drops off and said to them to see if they could cancel - still no response.  This carpark only has space for approx. 7 cars and only has Charity Shop and Post Office sorting office for collections etc.

I haven't heard anything for a while and (stupidly) assumed that this had now been resolved.

Unfortunately,  received this letter yesterday - 



Should I be worried or is there anything else that I should do?

Thanks for your advice so far!

Jason

Gr1pr

Read post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad 

6 YEARS is the expiry deadline for the parking company to sue you,  so 16 months is only partway 

James_Poisson

No it's just debt collectors scrap paper you can ignore this one but don't ignore any actual court claim.

For information from your original post, there was no "offence" or "fine" and the vehicle was not "unlawfully" parked those words do not and cannot appear on a private parking invoice.

It would seem that the reason the charge was issued was because the driver never registered the VRN in the shop, but how you would know that from the abysmal signage I don't know, this is a honey trap. 

They have in my mind made the signage deliberately this way to trap people it would be a strong basis for your defence IMHO.

Just look at the latest images and the sign on the right about 8ft high, and in virtually hidden font says vehicle registrations need to be validated in store, the entrance sign tells you nothing.

I would not deal with a so called charity that treats its supporters in such a shoddy way.

Notice the very wordy T&C's in tiny font on a hidden sign behind you as you drive in:

Coupon-mad

You  want the DCB Legal claim form and it will come in 2026. Look forward to the end game. Read some DCB Legal Smart claim threads!