UKPC Mess Around?

Edennnn14

Hi all,

read a lot of posts on here over the last few months while I’ve been trying to deal with a parking charge from UKPC. 

Some background: a charges
 was issued in July for parking in my apartment buildings car park without a “correctly displayed permit”. This essentially means the permit was on my dashboard instead of stuck to my windscreen. I was away for a month when the letters were issued, so I was not able to appeal within the time frame, and had absolutely no way of contacting UKPC. I had proof from my landlord that I pay for a permit, I had photographic evidence from myself and from UKPC’s own evidence of contravention that the permit was visible. Still could not appeal. 

It was passed to GCTT then to ZZPS (which from what I understand, are the same firm?). Anyway, ZZPS passed it to QDR legal and at this point I was at my wits end and was not at home often enough to be able to keep up with the letters etc. so I decided just to pay what was now a £170 fine (£100+£70 admin). 

On Nov 21st, I set up a payment plan with QDR, made payment over the phone for £56 and change, and then requested that call be sent to me. I received the file today. As far as I was concerned, the payment would be taken via direct debit on the 21st of each month, ending January 21st. 

Three days ago, I received a ‘letter of claim’ from a BCD Legal, who are chasing me for the full amount of £170. 

I called QDR back, and asked what on earth was going on.  They stated the case had been retracted by ZZPS and when I asked why I was not informed, they said they do not contact cases when they’re no longer under their purview. I asked for a payment receipt to be emailed to me, and for this call to also be emailed to me (which could take a further 3-4 weeks). The payment receipt was not emailed. 

I then called ZZPS, who said yes “apparently a mistake was made, and UKPC have progressed the case to DCB legal”. They said they are able to see that I have made payment with QDR, and that a ticket will be raised with DCB to pass the correct information on to them. When I asked if I could have this phone call sent to me, they man I was speaking to refused and said that’s not possible. I stated my rights as a consumer and he changed his tune, saying I’d need to email their data protection department and independently request it. I have done this, but this may also take several weeks. He also refused to email me what we’d spoken about so that I could use it as proof. 

Finally, I called DCB legal. I made it clear that I do not intend to pay another penny until this has been sorted out, and that it seems fairly clear to me that they’re trying to scam me. He said that unless I have proof in writing that I’ve made payment to QDR (which they evidently won’t send me), they won’t accept that I’ve already paid 1/3 of the fine. 

I’m unsure how to proceed here. Can I send them the audio file of my initial call with QDR where I made the first payment? They can likely argue that this came from anyone. 

They’re threatening with a CCJ, which is standard for these firms, but I genuinely don’t know where to go from here. I feel I’ve exhausted my options in actually making an effort to settle this and just be done with it.  

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Nellymoser

But you'll have proof of installment payment on your bank statement as it was paid by direct debit. Make sure you cancel D/D so no further payments are taken.
Why don't you email your MP ask for help as the industry is not playing fair. Many MPs are aware of this industry's threatening rip-off practices.

James_Poisson

There was never a "fine" it was an invoice from scammers as you are finding out, pity you didn't come here first, I can's see why you paid them anything, especially for displaying the pass on the dashboard instead of the windscreen do you really think a judge would let them get away with that?

Get your money back and don't pay anyone a penny, no one can threaten a CCJ only a judge and this would never get that far with help from here.

Edennnn14

James_Poisson said:

There was never a "fine" it was an invoice from scammers as you are finding out, pity you didn't come here first, I can's see why you paid them anything, especially for displaying the pass on the dashboard instead of the windscreen do you really think a judge would let them get away with that?

Get your money back and don't pay anyone a penny, no one can threaten a CCJ only a judge and this would never get that far with help from here.

Honestly, because this had been going on for so long and I had enough money to just settle it and be rid of it. I’m not home often enough to be able to keep up with all the post, especially if a CCJ is issued and I need to deal with appeals and a court case etc.

I just wanted to pay the fine and call it a day, despite knowing it was unjust and a total rip off. 

Really frustrating to now be in this situation even after I tried to play their game.  

Coupon-mad

I really really wish you had not agreed to pay QDR. Terrible mistake.

Cancel the DD immediately or they are free to take more money from your account.

I called QDR back, and asked what on earth was going on. They stated the case had been retracted by ZZPS and when I asked why I was not informed, they said they do not contact cases when they’re no longer under their purview. I asked for a payment receipt to be emailed to me, and for this call to also be emailed to me (which could take a further 3-4 weeks). The payment receipt was not emailed. 

You didn't demand a refund?!

What I would do:

- go quiet. Let DCB Legal issue a claim.

- defend (dead easy!) and counterclaim for £300 which costs you just £35 and run the counterclaim wording past us first. Read counterclaim threads.

You'd be pleading that £56.xx was forced from you under duress - and under false pretences - by an agent of the Claimant who was then switched for another firm demanding £170.

The Claimant had no legal right to pass your DVLA data to DCB Legal under the circumstances, and thus the Data Protection Act 2018 has been breached.

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counterclaim DPA 2018 principles Vidal