This is valuable advice. I think we all get the opinion that writing to the PPC's is not advised and I really am not stupid enough to think that my writing to them will change anything. It is merely for my own peace of mind that i have attempted to do something. I just wanted to add that I have only written the one letter and after receiving three from them so its not like I'm reacting every time. I do not plan to keep at it, will just wait and see how far they want to go with this now. I have done it alomost as a means of trapping them into looking unreasonable, which no doubt they will live up to. There seems to be alot of anger from some people on site and i can completly understand why but just take care not to direct this at the worried people loooking for advice. Barking "do nothing or you're a fool!" doesn't really help. Arming people with advice on the various legal issues is more useful. I would like to know if anyone is aware of a case that has gone as far as court and where the "accused" has ended up having to pay an unreasonable fee. Facts are much more conclusive and maybe more suitably immotive.

Thanks. I agree it is all designed to scare and the YouTube clip is helpful, thanks. But I have made it clear in my letter that I will not be paying anything and that I know it is for them to prove the driver. I'm not convinced that in writing this letter I will make anything any worse. They have now sent three notices in succession and didn't seem to be giving up.

I understand the advice posted here is well meant but its no good being just angry at these companies and presuming that they'll go away. At the end of the day some of these cases do seem to progress to court, as would seem to be the case with mine.I followed the advice on here a few months ago and have ignored all the correspondance I have received from SIP. I am now on my second charge notice and expecting this to escalate to court. There has been a previous post on here from someone reporting the same with this company. I finally decided to reply to the threats today, I just dont think it looks good if this does get to court and i have done nothing, I may have a better case if it looks like I have tried to do something. I also eventualy received advice, which I had waited for for ages, from the citizens advice bureau. They just cited what I already knew back to me and stated that any landowner can legally contract a PPC to enforce tickets based on either a breach of contract or trespass charge. They basically justified the PPC had a basis to charge this fee and advised that I check that the PPC were a memebr of the BPA. If they are they should offer a formal period during which actions are suspended while the allegation is contested. I have used some templates from this forum in my letter, requesting information from the PPC to legitimise their company and I have requested photographic evidence of the alleged offence as it is the driver that is at question not necessarily me as the registered keeper. I'm not stupid and I know that companies play on making you feel insecure so maybe I have fallen into their trap. But with the letters I have received so far it seems unlikely that they were going to let this drop anyway. I would feel quite happy reading my letter out in court and contesting this if it has to go that far. I wouldnt feel happy standing up in court having done nothing. I'll just have to see what happens...

good point. thanks

Just another thought, in case things escalate to court level it cant do me any favours to show that I have jsut sat and dont nothing so what I might do is wait till their letters get more thratening looking, while all the while being fraudulent (copying official formats) then send a complaint to Trading Standards. Should I notify them at that stage that I have reported them or remain silent?

This is a worrying thread to read as I have received a letter from SIP too. I was considering writing to them with one of the template letters I have found on this site (very helpful!) telling them to provide me with evidence of the identity of the driver and to explain their entitlement to collect money. But then decided to take the no reply response. However upon reading this I am now worried that they may escalate things, over time of course, to court action. Any advice, is anyone aware of PPC's being "put off" by an early, fairly savvy letter from someone that they are trying to chase? Or will this likely have no effect and they'll carry on hounding me? Also is anyone aware of SIP's usual practise, are they renouned for taking these matters as far as the courts?

An analogy I have not heard before but will be using from now on!

Thanks for that. I'll stick to the "ignore them" tactic. There are some good templates on this forum but I agree that not giving them the benefit of knowing they've made contact is probably the best strategy.

Yeah, from a quick review of this forum I think I'll take the advice of doing nothing. It is just a bit concerning though when you read that in some cases the county court has become involved. I dont want to run the risk of receiving a CCJ! Do CCJ's result from these cases often? Do you have any experience of SIP specifically, I can see many posts relating to them.

Quick question. The PPC bothering me is SIP. Can anyone confirm that the same advice applies to them or are they "legitimate". Ta