Rang DCB legal before I read the Newbies thread about £170 PCN - am I doomed?

greensmoke85

Hoping someone can help.

I have a letter from DCB Legal requesting £170 for an unpaid PCN relating to a motorway services hotel. The original PCN went to a previous address as my logbook wasn't updated so this is the first I have heard of it. If I had received it, it would have been easily rectified because I have evidence I was staying at the hotel for that period (it's possible the car was parked in a space in the same carpark that wasn't officially marked for the hotel, but only because all hotel parking spots were full and it was a motorway services hotel so no other way of getting there).

I've read the newbies thread a few times and think I am clear on what I need to do (contact DCB in writing to request the additional 30 days, go back to original company who sent PCN to complain and demand it is taken back) but I rang DCB legal before I read that thread, and everything I have read on here since has strong warnings saying not to ring them.

My question is what does it mean now I have rung them? Do I need to change my course of action? On that phone call I gave them my phone number and email address, they already have my current address as the letter was sent here.

The reason I rang DCB legal was to say this is the first I'd heard of this PCN and ask them for info so I could contact the original company that issued the PCN and their response was that there was nothing I can do now and that the company who issued it wouldn't correspond with me and all I could do was pay DCB or respond to them. 

Any help greatly appreciated. 

DE_612183

no you are not doomed - you'll just have to block any calls you get demanding money.

Have you gone to Plan A as per the newbies thread?

greensmoke85

Ok thank you for responding. Happy to block their calls. 

Yes it was for parking at a Travelodge that was on a Moto motorway services so I have complained to both. Moto were the issuers though. 

A little concerned because on the Travelodge website it states: 

Hotel guests are welcome to use our free on-site parking spaces throughout their stay. However long-term park-and-fly is not permitted for airport travellers. Guests must register their car registration number at reception desk on arrival, failure to do so can result in a £60 penalty charge.

The vehicle registration wasn't registered but no-one at reception when checking in said it needed to be done so unsure how much of a case I have?

DE_612183

Try travelodge and point out their staff didn't advise you.

Coupon-mad

I assume the client is CP Plus aka Group Nexus?

Always try PLAN A (landowner complaint) which is a good fightback even if it is refused, because complaints mark the PPC's card. MOTO are appallingly dismissive about the ANPR 'scam' that they allow to operate at their sites ... but complain anyway.

Secondly, you MUST email the PPC and DCB Ltd to tell them to erase the old address.  You cannot leave rogue parking firms and their scum DRAs with a choice of two addresses.

Do that now, this week, to both DPO emails found in any company's data privacy page. They all have a DPO contact.

Then just ignore all letters unless you get a LBC or in fact, a court claim, which is the only fair dispute resolution and far easier than you may think. Sit tight. Do nothing except the below.

By going confidently into the 'ignore' stance, the only steps to take (because you MUST check every letter) are:

- Tell them if you move house within 6 years.

- Ignore the tedious £170 threatograms shown in pictures in the 4th post of the NEWBIES thread.

- Come back if you get a solicitor's LBC as per the 2nd post of the NEWBIES thread.

Nobody pays a penny and no hearing is even needed in most cases. Search the forum and read a few cases as they are easy to beat by waiting for a claim form - it is easier than appealing. The only vital point is that they must not use your old address again (because they will, deliberately, if you do nothing).

There is no risk AT ALL in defending a court claim. No CCJ. No bailiffs.

greensmoke85

Ok thank you. Just to double check, is this is still the case where the change of address issue was my fault? (Accidentally not changing the logbook for a period when moving - it is updated to the right address now)

Thank you for your help. 

Gr1pr

Plan A is regardless of any situations at any point 

Just follow the advice you have been given,  don't overthink it

Coupon-mad

greensmoke85 said:

Ok thank you. Just to double check, is this is still the case where the change of address issue was my fault? (Accidentally not changing the logbook for a period when moving - it is updated to the right address now)

Thank you for your help. 

Yes.

Do exactly as I advised.

greensmoke85

Travelodge got back to me and told me to pay DCB legal and they will reimburse me. Obviously gets me out of paying but they still get the money which is frustrating! 

ChirpyChicken

Have you got that in writing

greensmoke85

I do yes. Feel quite reluctant to do it because DCB still get the money but I guess I can’t really say no on principle