Utility Investigation

[redsultan76]

Hi, I'm new to this site.

My wife recently received a PCN by post, she allegedly overstayed in a 'up to 75 minutes free' carpark by 16minutes.

£150 (75 if paid within 14days) is a lot of money, considering that they didn't lose income.

I read through these threads, and decided not to respond.

But today we received a letter from LCS Civil Enforcement (tradding style of 1st locate (UK) ltd.). They launching a utility investigation on the address asking the owner/occupier loads of questions. Somehow I feel I don't have to reply, but I'm not sure, becasue I've never come across any of this being mentioned on this forum.

 

Could anyone provide me iformation or guidance on this matter?

 

It'd be greatly appreciated.

 

THX

[lamma]

this is interesting.

 

have you contacted them at all during this process ?

 

please scan the the 'utility investigation' letter (or digital photo).

and post it up. remove and details which identify you though.

 

are you sure this is related to the PPC issue - LCS have been known to chase up issues for Scottish Power, albeit bogusly on occasion.

[Mossycat]

OK first off was the car park a Council car park or a private car park (ie super market type etc).

 

It sounds like it may be a private car park from hearing tha LCS are involved, if so you have nothing to worry about.

 

Utility investigation for a car parking issue (I won't use the word offence or violation because if it is private car park you haven't committed an offence per se) sounds like a new 'scare' tactic a bit like Perky from CPS demanding a copy of the insurance document on another thread, like Perky these lot (LCS) can ask for what they want but that doesn't mean you have to respond or tell them anything.

 

Please post back advising if it was a private car park and we will tell you what to do next.

 

Mossycat

[redsultan76]

It was a privatly owned car park, I guess (KFC restaurant in Sheffield).

The most disgusting thing about it, we were customers and having our meals inside - for goodness' sake- not for 75 mins, but 91mins...

[redsultan76]

no, i haven't contacted them yet. they only gave me their premium call phone number (surprise, surpriese)

 

i will take the photos later on...

[Mossycat]

OK forget photo's you don't need them. What you have got is an invoice, nothing more nothing less. It is NOT a fine.

 

I assume parking was free in that car park, if so they have NO claim against you, if there was a fee to park then their claim is limited against you to the amount of the parking fee.

 

You have 2 choices

 

1) Ignore everything and they will eventaully go away

 

2) Respond with the template letter that Bernie The Bolt drafted (you will find it in the stickies), after that ignore everything else

 

I would personally go with the second option because at least then you have responded and in the highly unlikely event (less than 1%) that they are stupid enough to take you to Court you can demonstrate that you tried to resolve this matter (by pointing out to them that they were not entitled to a penny).

 

Expect quite a lot of threatening letters mentioning CCJ's, your credit rating, baliffs, the fact they will sell your daughter into slavery etc etc etc, they are all scare tactics designed to pressure you into paying.

 

DO NOT pay, if you need further reassurances later just post back as and when, in the meantime read other threads you will see that PPC's do not stand a chance (even when they go to Court, as in Perky )

 

Mossycat

[patdavies]

Hi, I'm new to this site.

My wife recently received a PCN by post, she allegedly overstayed in a 'up to 75 minutes free' carpark by 16minutes.

£150 (75 if paid within 14days) is a lot of money, considering that they didn't lose income.

I read through these threads, and decided not to respond.

But today we received a letter from LCS Civil Enforcement (tradding style of 1st locate (UK) ltd.). They launching a utility investigation on the address asking the owner/occupier loads of questions. Somehow I feel I don't have to reply, but I'm not sure, becasue I've never come across any of this being mentioned on this forum.

 

Could anyone provide me iformation or guidance on this matter?

 

It'd be greatly appreciated.

 

THX

 

There is no requirement whatsoever to respond to these questions.

[lamma]

agreed - and then some !

 

It would be good to see the contents of this letter though...

[redsultan76]

ok, thx.

i think i will go for option number2

[redsultan76]

There is no requirement whatsoever to respond to these questions.

 

I thought the same, but needed some assurance.

[redsultan76]

It would be good to see the contents of this letter though...

 

well, the batteries are being charged...then I'll take some photos (PCN and the latter one).

[redsultan76]

I uploaded the two pictures of these documents.

http://redsultan.uw.hu/pcn/pcn.jpg

http://redsultan.uw.hu/pcn/ui.jpg

[lamma]

Thanks for that.

their Enforcement notice is a joke. See Fraud Act 2006 section 2.

 

Their utility investigation - very suspicious indeed. e.g. No mention of the client.

they are just trying to reel you in.

I would ignore the utility inquiry letter completely. But keep it safe. they may be crazy enough to issue Court papers. if they do they are stuffed (by both pieces of paper) in my view.

 

in the meantime I would photocopy the UI letter and send a copy to each of your utility suppliers (the Customer Services director at each) demanding to know what is going on, what investigation, you know of no issues etc.

Ask for confirmation of the issue or a clear and unambiguous denial from each supplier. Even include an SAE for their response maybe.

Edited June 6, 2008 by lamma

[redsultan76]

ok. thx.

i might be a rookie here, what is SAE?

[PPC Buster]

Self Addressed Envelope.

[redsultan76]

Self Addressed Envelope.

 

I'm always learning

 

THX A LOT

[lamma]

make sure you ask each and every utility supplier if there is an investigation against your name OR your address. cover all the bases. insist (nicely) on clear written answers and in a timely fashion.

if there has been switching of utility suppliers write to the past ones as well the present.

 

It may be some billing system error on the part of a utility - but we just don't know.

[redsultan76]

make sure you ask each and every utility supplier if there is an investigation against your name OR your address. cover all the bases. insist (nicely) on clear written answers and in a timely fashion.

if there has been switching of utility suppliers write to the past ones as well the present.

 

It may be some billing system error on the part of a utility - but we just don't know.

 

 

thx.

only one thing I know for sure: we are living on the present address for over a year, didn't switch supplier and paid every time, on time.

 

so, I guess this isn't related to the parking [problem]...is it?

[lamma]

thats what we are trying to ascertain - if it is it is clearly fraudulent in my view.

[dw190]

This place are quite well known for their activities and have been mentioned on Daytime TV.

 

Beware of Leeds Consultancy Services/1st Locate!

[letshelp]

I agree with lamma, get onto your utility companies and enclose a copy of the letter you received, that should stir up a hornets nest. Don't whatever you do send them any payment and NEVER telphone them.

best regards