DCBL letter for parking fine from 3 years ago!

Michael1986

Can anyone help me with this please, I’ve received a letter today for a parking fine from over 3 years ago. I know nothing about this fine and have never received anything prior. The parking charge number is not recognised on the original companies(smart parking limited) site and they don’t have a telephone number to contact them. Any advice would be appreciated, we’ve been absolutely slaughtered with fines over the last few years there’s absolutely no way we’d ignore a parking fine. Thanks.

Duke1999

They have up to 6 years to pursue you through the civil courts. 

DCB LTD are powerless dept collectors that will only send you threatening letters (not to be confused with DCB Legal).

You only have to respond to a Letter Before Claim or Letter Before Action.

Read through the Newbies thread that will explain everything.

Gr1pr

Ignore the powerless debt collectors letters,  post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum 

Coupon-mad

That letter is already in the pictures in the fourth post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST.

Michael1986

Ok everyone thank you for your replies, sorry not reading correctly.

HarleyQuinn45

Duke1999 said:

They have up to 6 years to pursue you through the civil courts. 

DCB LTD are powerless dept collectors that will only send you threatening letters (not to be confused with DCB Legal).

You only have to respond to a Letter Before Claim or Letter Before Action.

Read through the Newbies thread that will explain everything.

Sorry to jump on this thread, but I've read that Newbies thread over and over yet I don't get what happens.

Also when I got the same letter on Friday (my incident is nearly 4 years ago) I did some internet research and found that it's only on MSE that says to ignore it. Every other forum I've read said to pay. I can just about afford the £160 I'm being charged now, can't afford any more so I'm thinking of paying mine.

I will try that Newbies thread again, but it feels like every scenario is covered in one go and being all mixed up with each different debt / legal company.

I just don't understand what happens next which is what I need as I just can't afford to pay the extra charges that will get added on - didn't help that it took a week for the letter to arrive so I only have a few days now to get this sorted or at least have an idea what to do.

Umkomaas

I did some internet research and found that it's only on MSE that says to ignore it. Every other forum I've read said to pay.

Can you link us to the forums that tell you to pay please?

Car1980

99% of DCB Legal claims are discontinued.

That's why you don't pay. You do the court paperwork and 6 months later they throw in the towel.

It's a good business model. Pay the court £35 and half of people will immediately cave and hand over £250 on receipt of a court claim.

No doubt many people on the internet say "pay because you will get a court claim!"

So what? Are they incapable of filling in a few forms?

Adult life isn't just death and taxes. It's death, taxes and bureaucracy. 

Duke1999

I believe that site uses ANPR cameras. So you should have received letters before this unless you changed address around time of the parking charge notice or the address wasn't updated with the DVLA.