Jump to content


  • Tweets

  • Posts

    • Well barristers would say that in the hope that motorists would go to them for advice -obviously paid advice.  The problem with appealing is at least twofold. 1] there is a real danger that some part of the appeal will point out that the person appealing [the keeper ] is also the driver.  And in a lot of cases the last thing the keeper wants when they are also the driver is that the parking company knows that. It makes it so much easier for them as the majority  of Judges do not accept that the keeper and the driver are the same person for obvious reasons. Often they are not the same person especially when it is a family car where the husband, wife and children are all insured to drive the same car. On top of that  just about every person who has a valid insurance policy is able to drive another person's vehicle. So there are many possibilities and it should be up to the parking company to prove it to some extent.  Most parking company's do not accept appeals under virtually any circumstances. But insist that you carry on and appeal to their so called impartial jury who are often anything but impartial. By turning down that second appeal, many motorists pay up because they don't know enough about PoFA to argue with those decisions which brings us to the second problem. 2] the major parking companies are mostly unscrupulous, lying cheating scrotes. So when you appeal and your reasons look as if they would have merit in Court, they then go about  concocting a Witness Statement to debunk that challenge. We feel that by leaving what we think are the strongest arguments to our Member's Witness Statements, it leaves insufficient time to be thwarted with their lies etc. And when the motorists defence is good enough to win, it should win regardless of when it is first produced.   
    • S13 (2)The creditor may not exercise the right under paragraph 4 to recover from the keeper any unpaid parking charges specified in the notice to keeper if, within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which that notice was given, the creditor is given— (a)a statement signed by or on behalf of the vehicle-hire firm to the effect that at the material time the vehicle was hired to a named person under a hire agreement; (b)a copy of the hire agreement; and (c)a copy of a statement of liability signed by the hirer under that hire agreement. As  Arval has complied with the above they cannot be pursued by EC----- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S14 [1]   the creditor may recover those charges (so far as they remain unpaid) from the hirer. (2)The conditions are that— (a)the creditor has within the relevant period given the hirer a notice in accordance with sub-paragraph (5) (a “notice to hirer”), together with a copy of the documents mentioned in paragraph 13(2) and the notice to keeper; (b)a period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice to hirer was given has elapsed;  As ECP did not send copies of the documents to your company and they have given 28 days instead of 21 days they have failed to comply with  the Act so you and your Company are absolved from paying. That is not to say that they won't continue asking to be paid as they do not have the faintest idea how PoFA works. 
    • Euro have got a lot wrong and have failed to comply with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 Schedule 4.  According to Section 13 after ECP have written to Arval they should then send a NTH to the Hirer  which they have done.This eliminates Arval from any further pursuit by ECP. When they wrote to your company they should have sent copies of everything that they asked Arval for. This is to prove that your company agree what happened on the day of the breach. If ECP then comply with the Act they are allowed to pursue the hirer. If they fail, to comply they cannot make the hirer pay. They can pursue until they are blue in the face but the Hirer is not lawfully required to pay them and if it went to Court ECP would lose. Your company could say who was driving but the only person that can be pursued is the Hirer, there does not appear to be an extension for a driver to be pursued. Even if there was, because ECP have failed miserably to comply with the Act  they still have no chance of winning in Court. Here are the relevant Hire sections from the Act below.
    • Thank-you FTMDave for your feedback. May I take this opportunity to say that after reading numerous threads to which you are a contributor, I have great admiration for you. You really do go above and beyond in your efforts to help other people. The time you put in to help, in particular with witness statements is incredible. I am also impressed by the way in which you will defer to others with more experience should there be a particular point that you are not 100% clear on and return with answers or advice that you have sought. I wish I had the ability to help others as you do. There is another forum expert that I must also thank for his time and patience answering my questions and allowing me to come to a “penny drops” moment on one particular issue. I believe he has helped me immensely to understand and to strengthen my own case. I shall not mention who it is here at the moment just in case he would rather I didn't but I greatly appreciate the time he took working through that issue with me. I spent 20+ years of working in an industry that rules and regulations had to be strictly adhered to, indeed, exams had to be taken in order that one had to become qualified in those rules and regulations in order to carry out the duties of the post. In a way, such things as PoFA 2012 are rules and regulations that are not completely alien to me. It has been very enjoyable for me to learn these regulations and the law surrounding them. I wish I had found this forum years ago. I admit that perhaps I had been too keen to express my opinions given that I am still in the learning process. After a suitable period in this industry I became Qualified to teach the rules and regulations and I always said to those I taught that there is no such thing as a stupid question. If opinions, theories and observations are put forward, discussion can take place and as long as the result is that the student is able to clearly see where they went wrong and got to that moment where the penny drops then that is a valuable learning experience. No matter how experienced one is, there is always something to learn and if I did not know the answer to a question, I would say, I don't know the answer to that question but I will go and find out what the answer is. In any posts I have made, I have stated, “unless I am wrong” or “as far as I can see” awaiting a response telling me what I got wrong, if it was wrong. If I am wrong I am only too happy to admit it and take it as a valuable learning experience. I take the point that perhaps I should not post on other peoples threads and I shall refrain from doing so going forward. 🤐 As alluded to, circumstances can change, FTMDave made the following point that it had been boasted that no Caggers, over two years, who had sent a PPC the wrong registration snotty letter, had even been taken to court, let alone lost a court hearing .... but now they have. I too used the word "seemed" because it is true, we haven't had all the details. After perusing this forum I believe certain advice changed here after the Beavis case, I could be wrong but that is what I seem to remember reading. Could it be that after winning the above case in question, a claimant could refer back to this case and claim that a defendant had not made use of the appeal process, therefore allowing the claimant to win? Again, in this instance only, I do not know what is to be gained by not making an appeal or concealing the identity of the driver, especially if it is later admitted that the defendant was the driver and was the one to input the incorrect VRN in error. So far no one has educated me as to the reason why. But, of course, when making an appeal, it should be worded carefully so that an error in the appeal process cannot be referred back to. I thought long and hard about whether or not to post here but I wanted to bring up this point for discussion. Yes, I admit I have limited knowledge, but does that mean I should have kept silent? After I posted that I moved away from this forum slightly to find other avenues to increase my knowledge. I bought a law book and am now following certain lawyers on Youtube in the hope of arming myself with enough ammunition to use in my own case. In one video titled “7 Reasons You Will LOSE Your Court Case (and how to avoid them)” by Black Belt Barrister I believe he makes my point by saying the following, and I quote: “If you ignore the complaint in the first instance and it does eventually end up in court then it's going to look bad that you didn't co-operate in the first place. The court is not going to look kindly on you simply ignoring the company and not, let's say, availing yourself of any kind of appeal opportunities, particularly if we are talking about parking charge notices and things like that.” This point makes me think that, it is not such a bizarre judgement in the end. Only in the case of having proof of payment and inputting an incorrect VRN .... could it be worthwhile making a carefully worded appeal in the first instance? .... If the appeal fails, depending on the reason, surely this could only help if it went to court? As always, any feedback gratefully received.
    • To which official body does one make a formal complaint about a LPA fixed charge receiver? Does one make a complaint first to the company employing the appointed individuals?    Or can one complain immediately to an official body, such as nara?    I've tried researching but there doesn't seem a very clear route on how to legally hold them to account for wrongful behaviour.  It seems frustratingly complicated because they are considered to be officers of the court and held in high esteem - and the borrower is deemed liable for their actions.  Yet what does the borrower do when disclosure shows clear evidence of wrong-doing? Does anyone have any pointers please?
  • Recommended Topics

  • Our picks

    • If you are buying a used car – you need to read this survival guide.
      • 1 reply
    • Hello,

      On 15/1/24 booked appointment with Big Motoring World (BMW) to view a mini on 17/1/24 at 8pm at their Enfield dealership.  

      Car was dirty and test drive was two circuits of roundabout on entry to the showroom.  Was p/x my car and rushed by sales exec and a manager into buying the mini and a 3yr warranty that night, sale all wrapped up by 10pm.  They strongly advised me taking warranty out on car that age (2017) and confirmed it was honoured at over 500 UK registered garages.

      The next day, 18/1/24 noticed amber engine warning light on dashboard , immediately phoned BMW aftercare team to ask for it to be investigated asap at nearest garage to me. After 15 mins on hold was told only their 5 service centres across the UK can deal with car issues with earliest date for inspection in March ! Said I’m not happy with that given what sales team advised or driving car. Told an amber warning light only advisory so to drive with caution and call back when light goes red.

      I’m not happy to do this, drive the car or with the after care experience (a sign of further stresses to come) so want a refund and to return the car asap.

      Please can you advise what I need to do today to get this done. 
       

      Many thanks 
      • 81 replies
    • Housing Association property flooding. https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/438641-housing-association-property-flooding/&do=findComment&comment=5124299
      • 161 replies
    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

      We will be getting that transcript very soon. We will look at it and we will understand how the judge made such catastrophic mistakes. It was a very poor judgement.
      We will be recommending that people do include this adverse judgement in their bundle so that when they go to county court the judge will see both sides and see the arguments against this adverse judgement.
      Also, we will be to demonstrate to the judge that we are fair-minded and that we don't mind bringing everything to the attention of the judge even if it is against our own interests.
      This is good ethical practice.

      It would be very nice if the parcel delivery companies – including EVRi – practised this kind of thing as well.

       

      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
        • Like
  • Recommended Topics

Customer Compliance officer home visit


pinkribbon
style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 5079 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Recommended Posts

Hi.

I have received a letter this week stating that a customer compliance officer will be visiting my home next week because there is a query in my claim for benefits. The letter has come from the Jobcentre plus office, I currently claim income support.

I have read a few threads on this site but am still a bit confused by it all. What is a customer compliance officer? Am I being accused of anything here? The only thing I can think of is that last week I received a letter from the benefits office asking if my Daughter is planning to stay in full time education because she turned 16 last week. I sent the form back stating that yes she was going to college full time in September. She received her college place acceptance letter this week.

Would this be the reason?

They have asked me to provide ID. A passport, driving licence,utility bills, rent agreement & a bank statement bearing my name and address. I do not have a passport, but I have a provisional licence (still trying to pass my test!) & I have gas bills & etc. I do not have bank statements because I only use online banking. I have printed out a statement for them though & I have my tenancy agreement. Will this be ok?

Thanks for the help in advance. I am feeling quite upset about it. It all seems very official.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Compliance visits are usually for cases where there has been an allegation which is believed to be either mallicious or otherwise without substance, but they are duty bound to follow it up by making checks on a person's claim, circumstances and identity.

 

Fraud Investigators are different from compliance and are usually used where there are enough indicators to throw substantial suspicion upon the validity of a claim. In some cases, FIS (Fraud Investigation Service) have looked into a case, find nothing of interest and refer it down to compliance to go take a "look see".

 

In most compliance cases, the outcome is "everything is fine, but be sure to inform us if your circumstances do change in the future". It's very rare that anything comes out of a compliance case.

My advice is based on my opinion, my experience and my education. I do not profess to be an expert in any given field. If requested, I will provide a link where possible to relevant legislation or guidance, so that advice provided can be confirmed and I do encourage others to follow those links for their own peace of mind. Sometimes my advice is not what people necesserily want to hear, but I will advise on facts as I know them - although it may not be what a person wants to hear it helps to know where you stand. Advice on the internet should never be a substitute for advice from your own legal professional with full knowledge of your individual case.

 

 

Please do not seek, offer or produce advice on a consumer issue via private message; it is against

forum rules to advise via private message, therefore pm's requesting private advice will not receive a response.

(exceptions for prior authorisation)

 

 

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi pinkribbon

There is nothing to worry about i had them to come to me last week. I got the same letter just like yours they are only coming out to check that nothing have changed they was only at mine for 15 mins.

  • Haha 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for the replys! I feel a bit better now. To think that someone would make a false allegation about me & go to the trouble of ringing the DWP is scary! How sad. I just try to keep myself to myself & try to do the best I can every day. I can't believe some people can sleep at night!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello everyone. Just to update you that I had my interview today which lasted about 25 mins. The lady was very nice, & explained that an allegation had me made that I had a partner living with me. I explained that I am with someone, gave his address & explained that he is moving in in April once I can add him to the tenancy (I will have been here a year on April 9th so can then add another tenant) We never had any intention of trying to lie about it, so that's fine. I explained that he is here a lot because of our son & picks him up from school some days. She had no problems with that. I had to sign a statement & then she left.

I am more upset that someone (I know who!) would waste the time of busy people with nasty lies. We are just trying our best in life, we are both applying for jobs & just want a stable decent life. The people I strongly suspect are so called family, who are very sick & twisted. I have nothing to do with them & do not let them near my children. What makes me laugh is that these people (who have done this to lots of other people that have upset them) have NEVER worked in their lives!! They get DLA for all the children, funded school taxis (eventhough they have TWO cars in the household) money for being carers, free money to buy sofas & holidays, & all the rent paid, PLUS lots of benefits!! (I know this because it is bragged about around the family with glee) Two of the Sons, aged 16 & 23 do have some learning difficulties, but the Daughter aged 21 is Fine, yet they say she is has a learning problem so they could get over £1000 worth of free computer equipment!! And these people report me!

I get a small amount of Income support & am trying everyday to look & apply for jobs. I never moan about my situation & just try to do the best I can everyday. I don't nose into anyone's business, & am just trying to make plans to improve our family life. I have no intention of claiming anything illegally because there is no need.

I am sorry to ramble. I must be more upset than I realised! Anyway, to anyone in the same situation, just be honest. The compliance team are just trying to do their jobs & have to follow up all allegations. They know better than anyone what sad, thick, losers there are out there that have nothing better to do with their pathetic existences than make up lies.

Fraid they made a mistake with me - they will have to think up another cowardly way to get their kicks next time. xx

Link to post
Share on other sites

Why don't you report them anonymously of course? We would.

 

LOL! ;) Now there's a thought? No, I would not even bother TBH. People like this will get there's in the end without my intervention. xx:)

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Having read the thread, I thought I'd share my experience with you all.

 

I had a letter and consequently a visit from a compliance officer last week. It seems that they had recieved "an anonymous" call saying that I had a partner living with me who was working and had been for the last 3 or 4 years!!! My first thought was "how come you are only just visiting me now"? Then the penny dropped!!!

 

I am disabled and a single parent claiming income support. I have just won a case in the high court which means I am owed between £25,000 and £30,000 but I'm having a fight on my hands so haven't declared it yet because I haven't had a penny so far.

 

From the questions she asked and the information she had, it was abundantly clear to me exactly who had made this false allegation. I strongly suspect it was the defendant in the court case, I have no doubt whatsoever!!!

 

I was accused of having my boyfriend living with me when in actual fact I am single and have been since February. The name she had on her paperwork was my ex-husband's who is practically my carer. He visits daily but lives with his parents. The only time he is in my house during the night is when I am very ill and he sits up with me. I answered all of her questions and signed the statement but am now left wondering what happens now. The Officer gave me no indication of how things would now proceed and I have been left unable to sleep and worried about what is going to happen.

 

I despise these so called "do-gooders", they stick their noses into other peoples lives without getting their facts correct first but in my case this "anonymous" caller is even more dispicable because I think/know it was my sister!!!!!!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Update to last post:

 

Well it seems that I have worried myself sick for nothing. I received a letter this morning telling me that no action is being taken and that my money will still be paid into my designated account.

 

Having told the truth to the compliance officer I certainly feel vindicated but at the same time I am annoyed that someone can make a single phone call and throw my life in chaos. It has not only caused the bebefit office extra work, but it has put me under needless stress.

 

Whilst I accept that there is a need for these compliance officers, I also feel that the system doesn't allow for honest people who are accused malicously. It appears that anyone can ring the benefits office and spout a load of rubbish and automatically you are presumed guilty!

 

Luckily everything turned out fine for me, but good luck to anyone else now finding themselves in this position, my thoughts are with you!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi spacehopper, if you'd been a M.P. things would have been looked at very differently.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/261429-welfare-atosh-government-debate-8.html#post2952300

 

Kindest regards,

Paul.

I'm not a qualified welfare rights adviser, but I'm planning on becoming one. I'm no substitute for more competent advice from trained CAB and welfare rights workers - [URL="http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/127741-benefits-advice.html"]see this post[/URL] by Joa, great advice and links! I've been running a Crisis Loan campaign and help since Jan 2007 . See my annotations c/o "theyworkforyou". I'm also currently interested by the recent DWP Medical Services reform and the effect this is having on valid claims, seriously - someone needs to be keeping a suicide count.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for that loan ranger, I found it quite amusing!

 

What I'd now like to know is, since the benefit office is now fully aware that I will be getting my inheritance soon (hopefully), obviously I am going to declare it. I might add that I had every intention of declaring it but have even had that taken out of my hands because of my malicous caller. They are just waiting to hear from me, as they stated in their letter.

 

So my question is how much money am I allowed to have in my bank account before it affects my benefit. But more importantly, am I going to have to endure another visit from a compliance officer? I found the experience unpleasant to say the least, as was she!!!!

 

Regards,

Karen

Link to post
Share on other sites

You can have up to £6000 before it affects benefit.

 

Your benefit will be reduced by £1 for every £250 or part of £250 between £6000 and £16000.

 

If you have £16000 or more you will not be entitled to means tested benefit, until the amount falls back below £16000.

 

Non means tested benefits such as DLA would not be affected.

My advice is based on my opinion, my experience and my education. I do not profess to be an expert in any given field. If requested, I will provide a link where possible to relevant legislation or guidance, so that advice provided can be confirmed and I do encourage others to follow those links for their own peace of mind. Sometimes my advice is not what people necesserily want to hear, but I will advise on facts as I know them - although it may not be what a person wants to hear it helps to know where you stand. Advice on the internet should never be a substitute for advice from your own legal professional with full knowledge of your individual case.

 

 

Please do not seek, offer or produce advice on a consumer issue via private message; it is against

forum rules to advise via private message, therefore pm's requesting private advice will not receive a response.

(exceptions for prior authorisation)

 

 

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for the information Erica.

 

As I am disabled, I fully intend to buy a car with my inheritance. I also intend to pay off my debt. Will the benefit office take this into account? If I spend my money on a car, will they still say that it is an asset and reduce my benefit accordingly.

 

I'm not very "clued up" on the benefits system having been married for 13 years. I've never had to worry about these things before and I'm finding it a bit of minefield now that I am an single!

Link to post
Share on other sites

There are areas where they can treat a claim as if the claimant still had the money. This is known as "deprivation of capital". Each case is treated on it's own individuality and there is no way of knowing for certain, how a Decision Maker would view your case.

 

The crux is that if they feel you have spent money that you could have used for living expenses on items which were not necessary, they can treat your claim as if you still had the money. For example, if a person spent their money paying off a priority debt (debt secured against their property for example) it would perhaps be acceptable but if a person spent their money paying off non priority debts (personal loan, unsecured) it could be considered deprivation.

 

This explains what are priority debts and non priority debts

My advice is based on my opinion, my experience and my education. I do not profess to be an expert in any given field. If requested, I will provide a link where possible to relevant legislation or guidance, so that advice provided can be confirmed and I do encourage others to follow those links for their own peace of mind. Sometimes my advice is not what people necesserily want to hear, but I will advise on facts as I know them - although it may not be what a person wants to hear it helps to know where you stand. Advice on the internet should never be a substitute for advice from your own legal professional with full knowledge of your individual case.

 

 

Please do not seek, offer or produce advice on a consumer issue via private message; it is against

forum rules to advise via private message, therefore pm's requesting private advice will not receive a response.

(exceptions for prior authorisation)

 

 

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...