PCN for missing a digit in location code :(

The_Naked_Ape

Hi There,

I am writing to ask for advice on recent PCN I received taking my partner's elderly mother shopping.

The incident happened this morning Friday 06th Feb at around 11am. I had parked my car into a car park space on the street off Kentish Town Road. I had parked here to bring her to the pharmacy to collect her prescriptions.

I tried to call the parking number advertised on the space (I have a copy of my call log screenshot) time was 10.18 but the automated service could not understand my accent, so I had to give up and downloaded the Ringo App instead. (I have another screenshot of this too which shows the sale and ticket purchase at 10.25.

Then I finally put all the details in and booked a parking space, but realised only afterwards when I seen the fine that I had missed a digit in the parking area code...I ended up putting my code 1375 instead of 13175. I have the reciept to prove this to park for one hour - between 10.27 and 11.27.

The parking area code 1375? I dont know where it is or even if it exists?

I also took her shopping to Morrisons Holloway this morning and have receipts to show and if push comes to shove can probably get a reciept for the medicnes at the pharmacy with a time stamp if needed.

Any help/advice will be really appreciated.

Thank you.

Hugh

Coupon-mad

Who issued the PCN?

The_Naked_Ape

Hi Coupon-mad,

It was issued by a traffic warden in Kentish Town,

The_Naked_Ape

I didn't see them, but it was stuck on the windscreen.

The_Naked_Ape

We paid but missed a digit for the location instead of putting 13175 we put 1375 which is the car park in South Sea 80 miles away?

We even have shopping receipts from shopping in Morrisons and another shop she went to.

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873846#Comment_81873846

No. Who issued it?

James_Poisson

Well 1375 is Southsea seafront, and 13175 where you actually parked is logged as Caversham Road Camden (off Kentish town Road) you are on a sticky one here you paid Southsea council but parked in a Camden council controlled area.

Ringo gives you the parking location code and the name of the car park or street so you didn't take much notice when paying.

Ringo will just apportion the fee you paid to the relevant authority account which was the wrong one in your case so Camden were not paid for your parking.

The location is here:

The sign:

I would pay up at the discounted rate I can't see you getting away with this unless FTLA can find a technical reason but from my experience of Camden they are like Rottweilers!

The_Naked_Ape

I called to pay, but their automated service could not understand my accent, So I had to download the Ringo app all while trying to look after an 87-year-old woman who refuses to say in the car having an anxiety episode. I paid it went through and I took her to the chemist and shops.

So one of the digits wasn't accepted I did not know this until I got back to the car and seen the ticket,

I did some research and found this -

Yes, you can and should appeal this parking ticket. While you made a technical error, you did not intend to avoid payment and can prove you paid for a session, albeit at the wrong location due to a digit error. Here is a guide on how to handle this, based on RingGo's advice and consumer rights:1. Act Immediately

• Create a new, correct session: Purchase a new, correct parking session for the correct car park immediately. This shows you are acting in good faith to rectify the error.("I couldnt do this as I hadnt realised until I had been fined.")
• Request a refund: Log in to your RingGo account and request a refund for the "wrong" session you paid for 80 miles away. Keeping the receipt of this refund request is important evidence. 

2. How to Appeal the Ticket (PCN)

• Gather evidence: Download your RingGo receipt for the wrong session. This proves you paid for a session in error.
• Submit an appeal: Do not pay the fine immediately. Go to the parking operator's website (details will be on the ticket/PCN) and make an "informal challenge" or "representation."
• Explain the situation clearly:
  • State that you attempted to pay via phone but the system did not recognise your accent.
  • Explain that when forced to use the app, you made a minor digit error.
  • Provide the proof of payment (the receipt for the wrong location) to prove you had a "bona fide" intent to pay. 

3. Grounds for Appeal

• Minor Typing Error: The British Parking Association (BPA) code of practice suggests that operators should take reasonable steps to avoid fines when a driver has paid the tariff but made a minor mistake (e.g., miskeyed a digit).
• No Loss to Operator: You can argue that no revenue was lost to the specific parking operator because you attempted to comply with the cashless system. 

4. What if the Appeal is Rejected?If the initial appeal is rejected, do not pay, but instead escalate to the independent appeals service, such as POPLA (for BPA members) or IAS (for IPC members). 

I also have proof that I called the number advertised to pay for parking 'Ringo' to book by phone before downloading the App, As I mentioned the automated service did not understand my accent so wouldn't allow me to pay by phone which is why I then downloaded the app and that is when I missed a digit.That phone log is excellent evidence—it proves you were a "good-faith actor" trying to pay from the moment you arrived.Since councils have a duty to act fairly, showing that their primary payment method (the phone line) was inaccessible due to a technical barrier (the voice recognition failure) puts the responsibility back on them.How to use this in your appeal:

• Screenshot your call log: Take a clear picture showing the time, duration, and the RingGo phone number. This proves you didn't just "forget" to pay; you were actively trying to comply.
• Highlight "Inaccessibility": State that the automated system's failure to recognize your accent created a barrier to payment. This forced you to troubleshoot via an app you hadn't used before, directly leading to the single-digit typo.
• The "Double Payment" Argument: Point out that you did pay for parking (albeit at the wrong location) and that the council has not lost any revenue due to your presence, as you paid a similar or identical fee to the RingGo system.

Draft for your "Informal Challenge":

"I am challenging this PCN on the grounds of mitigating circumstances. Upon arrival, I attempted to pay via the advertised RingGo phone line (see attached call log at [Time]). However, the automated system failed to recognize my accent, making payment via that method impossible. I subsequently downloaded the app to ensure I paid, but in the process of navigating a new interface, I made a single-digit error in the location code. As evidenced by the attached RingGo receipt, I paid for a full session at the time of the alleged contravention. I request that you exercise discretion and cancel this notice given my clear and documented intent to pay."

Proactive Tip: Submit this via the council's online portal (usually found on the Gov.uk Find Your Local Council tool) rather than by post, as you can upload your screenshots and receipts instantly.Would you like me to check if your specific council has a specific policy on "keying errors"?AI responses may include mistakes. Learn moreyes,Would you like me to check if your specific council has a specific policy on "keying errors"? yesWhile specific council policies vary, most local authorities in the UK are guided by a common principle of "fairness and proportionality" when handling parking appeals involving "keying errors". Typical Council Policy on Typos

• Minor Keying Error (1 digit/character wrong): Many councils will cancel a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) upon the first informal appeal if you provide proof of payment. They recognize that genuine human errors occur and that no revenue was lost to the authority.
• Discretionary Cancellation: Councils have the legal power to cancel a ticket for "mitigating circumstances". Your situation—where a technical failure (accent recognition) led to the typo—is a textbook case for exercising this discretion.
• Equality and Accessibility: Citing that the phone system was inaccessible due to its inability to understand your accent adds a layer of "fairness" to your appeal. Public bodies are generally sensitive to claims that their systems are not inclusive. 

How to Find Your Specific Council’s PolicyTo see if your council has a published "PCN Discretionary Policy" or "Enforcement Protocol":

1. Visit the Council Website: Search for "Parking Enforcement Policy" or "CPE Policy" on your local council's site.
2. Check for "Keying Error" Sections: Look for terms like "incorrect registration," "wrong location code," or "mitigating circumstances."
3. PATROL UK: Most councils outside London belong to the PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) adjudication service, which emphasizes that enforcement should be "fair, reasonable and proportionate". 

Important: If you submit your informal appeal within 14 days, most councils will hold the 50% discount while they consider your case. To give you more specific advice, which local council issued the ticket?

I am appealing as I had all intention of paying and did in fact pay, I tried to pay by phone but was refused due to my accent I am certain that hadthis not happened I would not have made an input error. as soon as I saw the ticket I tried to pay the council for the space again and have proof of this also, so I tried by phone that failed I paid by app and missed a digit, and as soon as I seen the ticket I even tried then also.

I'm curious if Camden Councel made a typo and paid someone £5 million instead of £5 would they say keep it, it was our mistake?

I know Camden Council pursues parking offence but I believe I am in the right and will fight it worse case scenario I pay the full fine but at least I will get my day in court are they willing to go that far with all my evidence?

"

Camden's Appeal Success Statistics

• Tribunal Success Rates: In recent years, Camden has upheld or chose not to contest approximately 42% of appeals that reached the independent London Tribunals.
• Historical Trends: Success rates for drivers appealing Camden PCNs have fluctuated, but data shows that in some years, nearly half of all challenged fines were successfully overturned.
• Keying Errors and Typos: While Camden's own Parking Enforcement Policy focuses on strict contraventions, independent adjudicators often look for "proportionality." If you can prove you made a valid attempt to pay—as evidenced by your phone log and the "wrong" location receipt—adjudicators often find in favour of the motorist or recommend the council use its discretion to cancel."

The_Naked_Ape

Coupon-mad

Sorry, I meant to say that the Issuer was Camden Council.

James_Poisson

Forget 90% of that AI gobbledygook it isn't relevant especially non applicable references to POPLA and the IAS, you haven't made a VRN keying error, and you haven't made a same council location error.

You are already confused, in my opinion that has made it worse, e.g. shopping receipts for Morrisons are totally immaterial.

Take it to FLTA if you want specific advice they are the experts on Authority penalties:

https://www.ftla.uk

Coupon-mad

Yep: no reflection on you but bin that awful AI crap, go to the experts on FTLA.