Parking fine at work, delivered to old address

Ih8PCN

I’ve checked a few forums but can’t find one similar to my situation. I received a parking charge notice as my permit wasn’t on display in MY WORKS car park. Unfortunately it was 2 weeks after I had moved house and I hadn’t updated my log book which I accept is on me. The original letter was then delivered to my old address which I never received. I then received a letter from a debt collection agency a few days ago advising I now owe £170 or potentially face legal action. I’ve tried reasoning with both VCS and the debt company advising I am able to park in the car park as I work for one of the companies now to park there, but on this one occasion the permit wasn’t on display, neither are entertaining my reasoning and are simply giving me an ultimatum pay or potentially face legal issues which could affect my credit rating and ability to get a mortgage (I already have one but I’m worried for renewing/reviewing). They are standing by the fact I’ve missed the cut off to appeal. This is slightly different to most other parking charge cases as it’s not a case of not paying or over staying, I am legally allowed to park there, I’ve just been caught out on a technicality.l and a one off situation. Any advice is appreciated - our facilities team are also trying to speak directly to the buildings landlord but nothing guaranteed. Is there another appeals route I am unaware of or is it worth complaining to the company based on an ethical standpoint or am I wasting my time? Cheers 

Umkomaas

Email both VCS and the debt collectors and tell them to erase your former address and replace with <your current address> use both highlighted words (they have meaning) and address your email to the respective Data Protection Officers. 

You can ignore debt collector letters but should you receive a Letter Of/Before Claim from the PPC's solicitors, or a County Court Claim via the Northampton CNBC, come back to this thread for further advice. 

If you're entitled to park on your employer's premises, why haven't you engaged them to get VCS off your back. 

Why do you think 'legal issues' will affect your credit rating?

kryten3000

There's no risk to your credit score - even if the worst were to happen and you lost in court then immediate payment would wipe the CCJ and it would not appear on the permanent record.

You should write  a notice of correction to the Data Protection Officer for both VCS and the debt collector to ensure your correct "address for service" is known to them and instruct them to ERASE any previous address.

This is mainly to prevent them "accidentally" issuing any claim to your old address and if they do, to give you grounds to claim against them should that be necessary.   Go and look up Vehicle Control Services v Carr to see what happens when they don't listen.

Since this is VCS, you have no chance of appealing to their better nature because they don't have one.  Send the notices of correction and sit tight unless you receive a Letter of Claim.

In the meantime, continue to chase the landowner for cancellation.  Retrospective proof of eligibility to park should result in an immediate cancellation of the PCN.  Why are permits even required when vehicles could be placed on an approved list?  VCS choose to operate with paper permits because it's easier to catch people out.  This alone shows the scheme up as the scam it is.  It's not about managing parking, it's about grifting cash from the unsuspecting motorist.

Ih8PCN

Umkomaas said:

Email both VCS and the debt collectors and tell them to erase your former address and replace with <your current address> use both highlighted words (they have meaning) and address your email to the respective Data Protection Officers. 

You can ignore debt collector letters but should you receive a Letter Of/Before Claim from the PPC's solicitors, or a County Court Claim via the Northampton CNBC, come back to this thread for further advice. 

If you're entitled to park on your employer's premises, why haven't you engaged them to get VCS off your back. 

Why do you think 'legal issues' will affect your credit rating?

Hi thanks for the response, I’ve read county court junctions can be initiated which will affect my credit rating etc but not sure if the process, I’m hoping it doesn’t get to this point. 

My employers are engaging with vice but this is via the landlord of the building so I’m not overly confident of a positive outcome. 

Half_way

there is a long process to go through before a ccj, they can not just issue them.
As this is also a work issue inform your employer and deal with it at their expense and tine

Coupon-mad

Ih8PCN said:

Umkomaas said:

Email both VCS and the debt collectors and tell them to erase your former address and replace with <your current address> use both highlighted words (they have meaning) and address your email to the respective Data Protection Officers. 

You can ignore debt collector letters but should you receive a Letter Of/Before Claim from the PPC's solicitors, or a County Court Claim via the Northampton CNBC, come back to this thread for further advice. 

If you're entitled to park on your employer's premises, why haven't you engaged them to get VCS off your back. 

Why do you think 'legal issues' will affect your credit rating?

Hi thanks for the response, I’ve read county court junctions can be initiated which will affect my credit rating etc but not sure if the process, I’m hoping it doesn’t get to this point. 

My employers are engaging with vice but this is via the landlord of the building so I’m not overly confident of a positive outcome. 

Doesn't matter. You do need to get the old address erased from their databases (as advised already) but other than that, stop trying to reason with scammers.

Await the claim form once you have had the old address corrected.

Defending is not risking a CCJ and a claim form isn't a CCJ either. Sounds like you need to read the FOURTH then SECOND posts of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST.

Please no asking about worst scenario cost. This is covered already in the NEWBIES thread and it never ceases to amaze us that people think defending is risky!