Poole BMI Harbour Hospital parking fine. Help needed.

mariukonie

Hi.
First of all please ignore writing mistakes because English is not my native language. Sorry about inconvenience.
I've received a letter of claim from DCB Legal solicitors for "Parked without registering vehicle at the reception" at Poole BMI Harbour Hospital, Poole BH152BH.
This it the first I hear from them. The amount they ask to pay is 170 pounds (100 fine plus 70 cost) and I didn't even get the first letter in which they are supposed to offer 40% discount.
The fine is for 18 minutes.
I recently changed address and the letter came to new address. No correspondence about this matter came to previous address earlier.
The parking happened back in July so I don't even remember if it was me driving.
What is the best way to deal with it. It seems like an extorsion and is it not too late for them to chase me for this? How can they prove that it was me who parked?
I really appreciate if you could advise me on this.
Thank you.

Coupon-mad

Welcome!  I'm glad you found us.

You won't be paying this charge but anyone has 6 years to chase an alleged debt in England.

In July, your car was registered to your old address and the PCN and reminder letters went there in the summer. That's why you received no PCN. Have you updated your V5C to show your new address now? That's important.

How to reply to a LBC or LoC from DCB Legal is in the second post of the NEWBIES thread. See my signature for where to click.

Which PPC is their client?

Complain to PALS at the hospital (Google them)  if you were a patient.

Complain to the Facilities manager at the hospital if you were staff.

mariukonie

Thank you so much. 
The V5c address was always up to date and I've promptly changed it as soon as I moved to new place.
I know the fines are harsh for not updating logbook address so I did it as a priority. 
I will study the second post of the NEWBIES thread, thanks for pointing right direction. 
The PPC is Britannia Parking.
It was my sister in law who was a patient at maternity, as it was urgent and unexpected visit she needed some hygiene supplies brought from home hence why the car was there to deliver it. Does it still give me right to complain to PALS? 
Best regards.

Coupon-mad

Absolutely complain to PALS!

I seem to recall that maternity units are mentioned in the Official policy, the NHS Car Parking Principles 

nigelbb

Coupon-mad said:

Absolutely complain to PALS!

I seem to recall that maternity units are mentioned in the Official policy, the NHS Car Parking Principles 

Poole BMI Harbour Hospital is a private hospital that so I would contact the hospital & tell them you will never use the hospital again if they don't cancel the charge.
https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/the-harbour-hospital

mariukonie

Hi.
I couldn't get anywhere with PALS, they say it's a private hospital. When I say that this hospital treats NHS patients  and keep on giving me different numbers to call and I am running in circles. I will try again on Monday but am I correct to contact them. 
After getting nowhere with PALS I called the hospital and asked them to cancel the fine. Couple days later I called again to check and they confirmed the fine has been cancelled by hospital manager. Should still write to the DCB solicitors or is that it and I can forget about it? I only have the hospital word, nothing in writing. 
Thanks for advice. 

Coupon-mad

Obviously just adapt what we already advised to send in response to the LBC.

Nellymoser

We so badly need protected from this greedy nasty industry. Please join the motorists in demanding the re-launch of Govt-backed Parking Code of Practice.

A simple signature, share if you can. 🙏

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701453

mariukonie

I tried to get the hospital to confirm the cancellation in writing and it turns out the lady in reception was mistaken (when she said it was cancelled). The hospital now says they can't cancel because it has already gone to legal team and there would have been costs involved for them if they were to cancel this fine. So I guess I'll have to fight it all the way.
The 30 day deadline is on 30th January so tomorrow I'll write email to the solicitors. 

Coupon-mad

mariukonie said:

I tried to get the hospital to confirm the cancellation in writing and it turns out the lady in reception was mistaken (when she said it was cancelled). The hospital now says they can't cancel because it has already gone to legal team and there would have been costs involved for them if they were to cancel this fine. So I guess I'll have to fight it all the way.
The 30 day deadline is on 30th January so tomorrow I'll write email to the solicitors. 

Why did you believe that?

Why did they believe that?

IMHO, the parking firm have lied to the Hospital. There is ZERO COST to cancel a case at any stage before court action. 

mariukonie

I sort of believed that because frankly I don't really know how it works. I guess DCB are charging Britannia parking for service. 
Under Data Protection are DCB allowed to get my details from DVLA or did they get them from Britannia Parking Group? I'm thinking if there are any grounds for filing a counter claim for unlawfully obtaining and processing my details and stress because of threatening letter they have sent me.