DCBL Parking fine, no appeal but wrong

StickiPanda

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping to get some advice here.

I recently received a letter from DCBL saying they had tried to contact me at a previous address. Long story short, we forgot to update the address on our car’s logbook (this has now been corrected). They've since tracked down our current address and are now saying that, because we didn’t respond earlier, we’ve lost the right to appeal and must pay £170 within 14 days.

We’ve set up a payment plan due to start on Tuesday, but we also requested the details and evidence of the alleged breach. When the evidence arrived, we were shocked.

There’s a petrol station on our road that we use regularly, which is next to a motel with parking signs plastered all over the car park. There are multiple entry and exit points. According to the photos, we apparently entered and then left the following day — which is absurd. I’ve never parked there for more than a few minutes just to pop into the garage.

Now I’m refusing to pay because this claim is clearly incorrect. We’re currently trying to contact them to cancel the payment plan.

To make matters worse, I’ve just received another letter for a different date, again claiming we parked there — and again, we’re not allowed to appeal. I’m expecting more letters too, as these are dated back to January and March.

Surely this isn’t right. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any advice would be hugely appreciated

Le_Kirk

Don't make payments into that payment plan, let it lapse, then read the NEWBIE sticky about how to overcome the PCN,  starting with a strong complaint to the garage.

Gr1pr

Cancel the payment plan and IGNORE DCBL, powerless debt collectors 

Plenty of people come here because of paperwork going to an old address due to not updating their V5c log book promptly after moving   ( its a legal requirement to update the V5c log book and driving licence too  )

Post the name or names of the actual Parking Company or Companies

Email the DPO at each private parking company and update the contact details for the service of papers,  telling them they must erase the old address and only use your current address 

Lastly,  do you have any letters of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  usually from a legal company like DCB Legal  or similar   ?

Brie

I suggest you contact your bank immediately to get the payment plan cancelled.  Tell them you discovered you were being scammed or whatever as that's what these people are essentially - scammers making money by deception.  

Chances are you stopped twice over a couple of days and they have ignored you leaving and coming back instead going for the big hit that would get them free money.  

Others better at this whole thing will be along shortly to give you more advice.

StickiPanda

Gr1pr said:

Cancel the payment plan and IGNORE DCBL, powerless debt collectors 

Plenty of people come here because of paperwork going to an old address due to not updating their V5c log book promptly after moving   ( its a legal requirement to update the V5c log book and driving licence too  )

Post the name or names of the actual Parking Company or Companies

Email the DPO at each private parking company and update the contact details for the service of papers,  telling them they must erase the old address and only use your current address 

Lastly,  do you have any letters of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  usually from a legal company like DCB Legal  or similar   ?

The actual parking company is called Parkmaven.

No 30 days notice, just 14 days to pay £170 or they will recommend the client start legal proceedings

Gr1pr

Then my advice stands 

Dcbl are powerless debt collectors,  read post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad 

Nellymoser

Don't phone dcbl to cancel your payment plan. Use email and cc it to yourself so you know it's been received.

NEWBIES 4th post Debt Recovery Stage changed address? section can help you email DPOs.
Also read 2nd post Small Claim.

fisherjim

It was never a "fine" you won't find that word on any paperwork or sign, I cannot understand why you just set up a payment plan with any old company that sent you a letter out of the blue without question!

StickiPanda

Hi guys. 

I have now received two LOC. I’ve been through the newbie sticky and I’m 80% sure what I need to do. I just wanted to check before I act and make things worse for myself.

I’m using the following yes?

Dear Sirs,

Your Ref. ############
Proposed Legal Proceedings
Claimant: xxxxxx xxxxxxxx Ltd

I refer to your letter of claim.

I confirm that my address for service for the time being - assuming you don't faff about and delay any claim - is as follows, and any older address must be erased from your records:
[Correct address here]

The alleged debt is disputed and any court proceedings will be vigorously defended.

I am sourcing and seeking independent debt advice and as such, I formally request that this matter be put on hold for an additional 30 days, in accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims 2017 ('the PAP').

I note that the amount being claimed has increased by a hugely exaggerated amount which the Government called "extorting money from motorists".

Don't send me your usual blather about that.
I have two questions, and under the PAP I am entitled to specific answers:

1. Am I to understand that the additional £70 represents what you lot dress up as a 'Debt Recovery' fee, and if so, is this nett or inclusive of VAT? If the latter, would you kindly explain why I am being asked to pay the operator’s VAT?

2. With regard to the principal alleged PCN sum: Is this damages, or will it be pleaded as consideration for parking?

Yours faithfully

----
You can briefly also state (ABOVE those two questions) your reasons for disputing the claim and/or state (if true) it was so long ago you have no idea what it's about and/or (if true) that you were not the driver and do not believe their client can hold the keeper liable.

If so I’ve searched the forum and can’t find the correct email to send it to. 

Can someone help me out please? 

Coupon-mad

We’ve set up a payment plan due to start on Tuesday, 

Nononono. Cancel it IMMEDIATELY. Now!

You block/rescind the DD with your bank. Tonight. And you email DCB telling them to get stuffed, etc. do not use a template.

No 'trying to contact' them. Email them. You do NOT ring DCB Ltd or DCB Legal. 

Coupon-mad

StickiPanda said:

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping to get some advice here.

I recently received a letter from DCBL saying they had tried to contact me at a previous address. Long story short, we forgot to update the address on our car’s logbook (this has now been corrected). They've since tracked down our current address and are now saying that, because we didn’t respond earlier, we’ve lost the right to appeal and must pay £170 within 14 days.

We’ve set up a payment plan due to start on Tuesday, but we also requested the details and evidence of the alleged breach. When the evidence arrived, we were shocked.

There’s a petrol station on our road that we use regularly, which is next to a motel with parking signs plastered all over the car park. There are multiple entry and exit points. According to the photos, we apparently entered and then left the following day — which is absurd. I’ve never parked there for more than a few minutes just to pop into the garage.

Now I’m refusing to pay because this claim is clearly incorrect. We’re currently trying to contact them to cancel the payment plan.

To make matters worse, I’ve just received another letter for a different date, again claiming we parked there — and again, we’re not allowed to appeal. I’m expecting more letters too, as these are dated back to January and March.

Surely this isn’t right. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any advice would be hugely appreciated

Looks like you took the letter we show in post 2 of the NEWBIES FAQS thread far too seriously.

Please look at those pictures now. Post 4 of the Announcement. Near the top of the forum. See my signature for where to click to hop back to page one.

You don't ring these firms or set up payment plans. You also need to read the official MSE Guide to Parking tickets as that's set out in easy bitesize chunks.

These PCNs are (arguably fraudulent) 'double dip' ANPR error charges and you DO NOT pay these firms for unfair or plainly wrong PCNs.

Get onto your bank and report it as a scam - be VERY CLEAR with that word - and stop the payment plan DD. This is as bad a scam as push payments. Your bank will assist.