POPLA appeal withdrawn - debt collectors now chasing

darthblingbling

Yes the parking charge number matches so it's the same case. In that sense would you still recommend I update my address with them, I would have assumed it's on them to check with the DVLA that the address is still valid.

ChirpyChicken

no you need to update the address
Do it with DCBL and you will be fine,

kryten3000

If it is the same case then make a complaint to the parking company's DPO at the same time you update your address with them.  They should call off DCBL sharpish.

If they don't then you might consider your own Letter of Claim for their obvious breach of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Half_way

darthblingbling said:

Half_way said:

Whos car park was/is this and where?

Total Car Parks Ltd - in Manchester city centre, near the prison.

Whiel Ive recently been in the Manchester area, I'm not N.Martin so i'm not familiar with that location.

 Do you have a map link - if you cant post links then break it so it doesnt look like a link

Gr1pr

darthblingbling said:

Yes the parking charge number matches so it's the same case.

In that sense would you still recommend I update my address with them,

 I would have assumed it's on them to check with the DVLA that the address is still valid.

Always ensure that you have informed any DPO about a change of address,  confirming the correct address for the service of papers,  covering your own backside,  nothing to do with Parking charges, but common sense to avoid default CCJs etc

Not allowed under their KADOE contract with the DVLA , only one lookup per case is allowed, within 6 months of the incident date 

Never assume 

darthblingbling

OK so it looks like I am being recommended to email both dpo @ dcbltd.com and info @ totalcarparks.co.uk (which appears to be the email address given in the data protection section of their website). Below is the draft email I am looking to send. Open to suggestions - also should I send email to both emails, or just total car parks, with DCB Ltd just getting notification of of an address change:

Dear Data Protection Officer of DCB Ltd and GDPR officer of Total Car Parks Ltd,

I am writing to formally notify you of a change in my address with respect to the Parking Charge Number [XXXXXXX] as I no longer reside at the previous address. Please update your records accordingly to reflect the following:

New Address:

[Insert your new address here]

If proof of new address is required, please outline how I can provide this to you securely.

Additionally, I wish to raise a serious concern regarding the handling of my personal data in relation to a parking charge issued by Total Car Parks Ltd.

I submitted a valid appeal to POPLA, which was accepted and subsequently led to Total Car Parks Ltd withdrawing their claim. The appeal verification code is XXXXXXXXX.

By way of a timeline:

 - Total Car Park Ltd gave notice that my initial appeal to them has been rejected on 4 September 2025

 - My appeal to POPLA was submitted on 25 September 2025 - this is well within the accepted time frame for an appeal to POPLA to be submitted.

 - On 15 October 2025 notification was given by POPLA that Total Car Parks Ltd had withdrawn their appeal and that the matter was now closed.

Despite this, I have recently been contacted by DCB Ltd, who appear to have been provided with my personal details by Total Car Parks Ltd. 

This action is deeply troubling and appears to be in direct contravention of the Data Protection Act 2018. Given that the appeal process concluded with Total Car Parks Ltd withdrawing their claim, there was no lawful basis for Total Car Parks Ltd to share my personal information with any third party such as DCB Ltd.

I request a full explanation of:

 - The legal basis under which my personal data was shared with DCBL.

 - The specific data that was transferred.

 - The date on which this transfer occurred.

 - The steps you will take to rectify this breach and prevent recurrence.

Please treat this as a formal complaint under your data protection procedures. I expect a response within 30 days, as stipulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) guidelines.

Yours faithfully,

NAME

Half_way said:

darthblingbling said:

Half_way said:

Whos car park was/is this and where?

Total Car Parks Ltd - in Manchester city centre, near the prison.

Whiel Ive recently been in the Manchester area, I'm not N.Martin so i'm not familiar with that location.

 Do you have a map link - if you cant post links then break it so it doesnt look like a link

It's called Park Place, 10 Park Pl, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4EY

Gr1pr

Remove all the background information about the case,  you are informing both about the correct address for the service of papers,  data protection right under the GDOR, nothing to do with your case, but add the VRM details and pcn reference number etc, so they find it easily,  ideally adding a copy of the new V5c document if you have it, as proof of address,  or 2 redacted current utility bills,  or all 3

You are NOT discussing the case 

Any complaint about the case should go to the complaints link in the BPA AOS members list on the right, separately 

No point discussing the actual case with any debt collectors,  but the claimant TCP has the right to employ sub contractors like debt collectors and lawyers to chase an unpaid outstanding Invoice 

But they shouldn't be progressing the case if they withdrew from popla, so complain about it to them,  TCP first,  then the BPA AOS Compliance team if TCP dont withdraw 

I strongly suggest that you follow the correct process,  even if TCP dont 

darthblingbling

So literally just inform them of the change of address, with proof ideally - no mention of data protection contravention or debating the case in that email?

Then separately complain to TCP - would the above email still act as a good template for the complain to TCP?

Sorry for all the questions. Appreciate that they have a right to employ subcontractors, but if they withdrew from the case then I would argue that they had no right to pass my details on.

Gr1pr

Yes is the answer,  even if its the same person with 2 hats at TCP, it's 2 separate distinct procedures,  one under GDPR about an address change,  a separate procedure where the BPA require you to use the link and complain first, before they will get involved as a trade body on your behalf 

Agreed,  but slow and steady, stick the knives in the clinically correct places,  at the appropriate point,  not a blunderbuss scattergun approach 

If TCP dont explain possible data breach etc, you would have to complain about it to the ICO

The debt collectors are irrelevant,  but copy them in on the Data Rectification Notice 

kryten3000

I would send a single complaint email with the correct address to both DPO addresses.  If TCP are paying attention they will tell DCBL to stop writing to you and confirm the PCN is cancelled. 

Depending on the timings, the POPLA appeal window can overlap with the end of the 28 days before the engagement of a Debt Recovery Agent.  TCP are allowed by the Code of Practice to pass the unpaid notice to DCBL on day 29 if they want to.

TCP are also obliged to suspend recovery operations while any POPLA appeal is in play.  What has likely happened here is the suspension message didn't get through to DCBL. Unusual but not unheard of.

You have to give TCP the chance to do the right thing.  If they ignore you or you receive further letters from DCBL to either address then you can escalate further with the BPA.