Smart Parking - Submitted appeal, have yet to hear back

ifup

Hello all,

I didn't realise that I had an account for this website before, which only makes me want to kick myself even more.

My car was driven, by a named driver (not me, someone close), to a park in Milton Keynes. Said driver paid for a ticket to park in a bay. I received  a notice to keeper letter from Smart Parking saying that there was a contravention, and that I have paid for insufficient time. There is a ANPR picture of my car with registration plate. I spoke with named driver about this and they has said that they had bought a ticket. They did purchase a ticket, and have left within the time allocated, but accidentality put their own car registration plate instead of mine thus the letter came to me. They have told me to put in appeal anyway, say that they were the driver and mention the ticket.

A day later I submit an appeal on their website, given details of who the driver was as well a photo of the parking ticket. I know, I screwed up since the newbie guide says to never admit who the driver was. I've only just remembered about this site after years of not using it. In this case, a bay was used and paid for but the wrong registration plate was inputted, most cases appear to be situations where drivers were not in the area; I don't think its likely they'll completely drop the charge. After submitting the appeal I get an automatic email saying that they had received an appeal and to wait 28 days. There's still a little over a week left until the 28 day appeal review period expires, but I still haven't heard anything yet. Nothing in my junk folder either.

I know there's still some time left but I'm making this post as I have some other concerns about this private parking company. I noticed when I search them up, a lot of the post seems to involve cases that get passed off to debt collectors,  and it seems that they ignore any appeal. If it does go to court, then I have no experience or what to expect.

1. In the event my initial appeal does not get reviewed and it does get passed off to a debt collector, my understanding of post 4 of the newbie thread is to ignore all debt collection letters. Should I prepare a defence template in the mean time? The "PPC Letter Chains & Court Papers" link under the WELCOME [Useful Links & General Info] doesn't work.

2. I've seen posts about complaining to BPA, but Smart Parking are IPC now. Should I still submit a complaint to IPC (If I continue to not hear anything back after the 28 day period?)

3. My appeal mentions who the driver was, how much will this hurt my defence?

Apologies for being vague with who the driver was, I wasn't sure how much detail to put in this post. I can edit with dates if needed. This has been on my mind throughout the month and is worrying me.

Kind regards

Coupon-mad

I would send a SAR to Smart's DPO asking for copies of all communications containing your data. That reply will flush out if they HAVEN'T replied. Do not hint at what you are wanting to see exactly.

Then if they pretend later that they did, you can report them to your MP and the IPC (the latter for what it's worth, which is nothing).

ifup

Should I now or wait until the 28 day period?

Coupon-mad

Now.