DCP Letter despite no PCN from Gemini

Lazlow

Hey, first off, thank you so much for the amazing resource that this forum is, it was the first place I visited after getting a letter! I've done an extensive read of the various cases people report and it's been really helpful. However, my specific situation has a little bit of nuance to it that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere.

I recieved the usual DCP letter, I have not contacted them and don't plan to do so. Like others I did not receive a PCN prior to this correspondence via Gemini so this is the first hearing about this. My V5C was not up to date with the revelent address (I had previously only done my driving licence) but it was still registered at an address I had access to, no PCNs were recieved there (I visit frequently). Annoyingly I had moved out of the address my driving licence will have had (I was in the middle of a house move and had left the property by the time a PCN would have arrived ) I assume they wouldn't have sent it to the address registered on my driving licence anyway as they would send anything to the RK? Either way, I had a postal redirect setup from the old address so would have expected it to come through.

Now the little detail that makes this standout is that I didn't park or go anywhere near the location they claim I have parked in on the day the claim it occured. However, during that day I had an MOT retest so am wondering if the center took my car out for some reason and they got me caught in this situation. (the notice isn't for a car park near the service center so I can't complain to them)

So I am thinking If I make a SAR request to Gemini and get a copy of the PCN I will be able to see the time of the 'infrigement' and if I was sitting in an MOT service center lobby at that time then I can complain to the service center and get them to stump up the DCP cost so I can be rid of this whole thing.

Is making the SAR request a good idea or am I wrong for engaging Gemini at all?

Gr1pr

No idea who DCP is, I assume that you meant the debt collectors DCB Ltd. ?  Ignore them

We dont recommend emailing a SAR until partway through the court claim process, typically when the case has been transferred to your local civil court 

Stay ignorant of the facts, let them make any mistakes before you seek enlightenment, sometimes its better to be in the dark 

But 

You can still follow plan A in the newbies sticky thread in announcements, that is always the best option 

Lazlow

Sorry, DRP, Debt Recovery Plus.

I can try Plan A but it's a car park at a serviced office facility that isn't a big brand so not sure where to look as far as contacting someone.

Gr1pr

Ignore the debt collectors letters, they are powerless, nobody is interested in them, worthless garbage 

For plan A, try the advice below 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6337652/how-to-find-details-of-landowner

Lazlow

I know, the letters haven't bothered me and I don't plan to engage with them; I'll look into contacting the landowner though and see what that gets me.

However, If I can get proof of the time of the infraction with or without a picture then I can use that information to get the service center to cough up the money now so I can end this charade now.

Lazlow

Right, I have tried to contact who I think is the building manager or perhaps someone who can put me in touch with them. So I guess I shall see what they say. Do I bother with the SAR at this point because I highly suspect this is the MOT center that has caused this.

Coupon-mad

I assume when you log into the PPC's website and put in your PCN ref and VRM you can no longer view photos?

If you cannot view pics, I would do 2 things:

- email the DPO of the parking firm now and ask for the times the vehicle was photographed because during that day the car was being kept by NAME OF MOT CENTRE.  And tell them to erase your old address because the DVLA address is not good for service;

AND

- email DRP and ask exactly the same question, plus instruct them to ERASE the old address (yes, I know they know your new address but that's not the point...NEVER leave a PPC or DRA with a choice of addresses on their records).

Lazlow

I've managed to get ahold of the building manager; they are being very helpful and are getting the PCN cancelled but I await some form of confirmation from Gemini/DRP via them before I'll be happy the situation is resolved otherwise I shall follow your advice @Coupon-mad

Coupon-mad

Very good. Sounds like Plan A strikes again!

Lazlow

Ticket cancelled and confirmation (via screenshot) of the coversation with Gemini to prove that. Plan A worked then 🙌

Thanks again for your help @Coupon-mad, @Gr1pr and the forum in general for having such a comprehensive database of information for people to access.