Parking company lying

howmuchdebt?

I parked in a hospital car park (I used the same car park almost every day for a month) and1 day I stupidly left without paying. I realised within 20 minutes and returned, I put my details into the machine which accepted my car as being parked and I paid. I then received a fine for non payment. I said I would pay the fine but minus the fee I paid on the day because they can't take my money for parking and also fine me. They refused to accept this. 

I took my appeal to Popla and the parking company changed their version of events. They claimed I parked in a staff only area but the only evidence they provided was a photo of the sign saying staff only, not of my actual car. I lost my appeal!

I've now received a letter from debt collection agency saying I owe £140. My husband thinks we should hold out and go to court as I have a strong case. 

Does anyone have similar experience? I'm astonished that they've gone to so much effort by telling a lie and that Popla accepted their story with no evidence. 

Any advise would be very welcome. 

Coupon-mad

My husband thinks we should hold out and go to court as I have a strong case. 

Of course. Should never have tried POPLA, which isn't fully independent.

That was the mistake, thinking it's a reliable appeal option when in fact it is set up and funded by the parking industry.

Is this ParkingEye? DCB Ltd letters?

Read the FOURTH post of the NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST announcement thread. Top of the forum.

Gr1pr

Your husband is correct,   100%  , a judge will decide on the issues,  if it ever got to a hearing,  which it probably wont 

Its not a fine,  its an invoice from a private parking company for the alleged breach of the parking contract on that private property,  ( a parking charge notice,  pcn  )

Ignore the powerless debt collectors,  file away their letters in a drawer

Plenty of victims on this forum over the last 12 years

Name the private parking company 

Name the location 

Ignore the powerless debt collectors

Complain about the incident to the trust and to your local MP too

Car1980

By all means state the parking company were untruthful and dishonest in any future court defence.

Might also be worth saying so in any reply to a DCB Legal Letter Before Claim. Having a lying client might make them think twice about representing them in a court of law.

fisherjim

"I took my appeal to Popla and the parking company changed their version of events. They claimed I parked in a staff only area but the only evidence they provided was a photo of the sign saying staff only, not of my actual car. I lost my appeal!"

But you had the chance to comment on their evidence at which point you should have stated that a random copy of a sign of stating staff only isn't evidence supporting their claim, it should be a photo date and time stamped on the day next to the vehicle.

POPLA always find ways of falling on the side of their paymasters unless you lead them by the hand.

howmuchdebt?

fisherjim said:

"I took my appeal to Popla and the parking company changed their version of events. They claimed I parked in a staff only area but the only evidence they provided was a photo of the sign saying staff only, not of my actual car. I lost my appeal!"

But you had the chance to comment on their evidence at which point you should have stated that a random copy of a sign of stating staff only isn't evidence supporting their claim, it should be a photo date and time stamped on the day next to the vehicle.

POPLA always find ways of falling on the side of their paymasters unless you lead them by the hand.

Obviously I did this but got no response from Popla so it appears to have made no difference. 

howmuchdebt?

Gr1pr said:

Your husband is correct,   100%  , a judge will decide on the issues,  if it ever got to a hearing,  which it probably wont 

Its not a fine,  its an invoice from a private parking company for the alleged breach of the parking contract on that private property,  ( a parking charge notice,  pcn  )

Ignore the powerless debt collectors,  file away their letters in a drawer

Plenty of victims on this forum over the last 12 years

Name the private parking company 

Name the location 

Ignore the powerless debt collectors

Complain about the incident to the trust and to your local MP too

Thanks very much. I complained to the hospital PALS team and got an immediate response saying they will look into this. Let's hope common sense prevails.