Looking For Clarification After Reading Newbie Thread

AvailableName

Hi everyone, 

We had a letter handed to us on 12th Oct from a previous landlord dated 25th July. It's a debt collector one, so I know from the thread that we can ignore it. However we completely missed the PCN/NTK as my husband forgot to update the V5C (we've moved a lot in the last 3 years), so this is the first we knew about it. 

I've tried appealing to the store (Tesco) online with no success (they've told me to speak to Horizon, but I don't think they will speak to us seeing as we're at debt collector stage).

Looking back at the records, I was in the store buying an outfit for my Mum's funeral that day (have photographic evidence), with a 9 month old baby who wouldn't settle. By the time I'd got little one to sleep and actually found an outfit, we were probably over the limit (not sure if it's 2 or 3 hours to be honest). Intending to go and speak to the store manager at the weekend to see if they'll budge. 

So the question is, if Tesco won't cancel it, do we just update the address with Horizon/debt collectors/both and wait for the next letter to come through? Can/do we pay Horizon?

Thanks

AvailableName

To add: Is it also possible at this stage to contact Horizon for a copy of the PCN so we can check if we were over the limit or not? I know I was there for at least 2 hours, but not sure how much more than that.

Johnersh

1. If it's from years ago the store is unlikely now to get involved. I'd do the query to head office mind, since my local store no longer has a horizon contract. That begs the question if the contract with Tesco permits their customers to be pursued this late in the day.
2. Irrespective of 1 above it would be prudent to provide Horizon with a new address for the KEEPER
3. After this time the debt claimed will include bolt ons. If you have the patience even if the PCN claim is lost you could still argue that you were obliged to fight by reason of the unnecessary/inappropriate additional fees. One suspects you feel a bit like that since you are here...

AvailableName

Johnersh said:

1. If it's from years ago the store is unlikely now to get involved. I'd do the query to head office mind, since my local store no longer has a horizon contract. That begs the question if the contract with Tesco permits their customers to be pursued this late in the day.
2. Irrespective of 1 above it would be prudent to provide Horizon with a new address for the KEEPER
3. After this time the debt claimed will include bolt ons. If you have the patience even if the PCN claim is lost you could still argue that you were obliged to fight by reason of the unnecessary/inappropriate additional fees. One suspects you feel a bit like that since you are here...

1. Apologies, the charge itself was from 24th Feb 2025, but the first time we knew about it was receiving the debt collector letter via our previous landlord a few days ago. 

2. We will definitely update Horizon with the Keeper's address. I assume from this that we don't update the debt collectors as well? 

3. Yes it is mostly the additional charges I object to, although being charged for parking in a Tesco carpark, when I was shopping in Tesco for the entire time I was there does leave a bit of a sour taste.

Nellymoser

It's best to notify the data protection officer (DPO) of address change.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81519771/#Comment_81519771

 You will find email for each DPO in their privacy policy. Google Horizon DPO email, do same for debt agency. Then send one email to Horizon DPO and cc in debt company.

Read NEWBIES FAQ Announcement thread 
Post 4 - advice on Debt Letters/address change
Post 2 - Small Claim

Umkomaas

So the question is, if Tesco won't cancel it, do we just update the address with Horizon/debt collectors

Both. Tell them they must ERASE (the word has meaning) the address they currently hold and replace with your current address. 

BUT, much more importantly, you must also notify the DVLA in order for your V5C (logbook) to be updated (can be done on line). Failure on that front can lead to a real fine of £1,000.  The V5C address is one used for notification of speeding fines and council penalty charges, so essential that it's up to date. 

If you haven't also updated your driving licence, that too must be done, but it's a separate notification, updating just one DVLA record does not update the other. 

Coupon-mad

A valid alternative: two birds one stone:

Keeper at old address names the driver at new address. Simple!

That way, the driver gets a fresh PCN and the old address is history. I've helped friends do that and the driver may as well be named, especially if they are the person on the forum and are more robust than the keeper.

Can/do we pay Horizon?

You'll never pay this. Not even if you get a small claim from DCB Legal next year because that's the end game, and they ALWAYS discontinue.