athena parking ticket

[geenabee18]

hi guys, i am new on here (go easy on me lol) and i am very encouraged by the advice given by people on here against these.

I was given two tickets within one week for parking over the time at lidl car park 90.00!!!!! Athena ANPR

At the time i was unaware of the sign stating that i would be liable!

Furthermore, i only went slightly over the time as i am a volunteer at my local law centre (lol) and had no where else to park.

Shall i ignore the letter! i am a bit scared as i do not want any ccj's!

45.00 for staying in a car park is riduculous

Can anyone give me any advice as to how i should deal with the situation

Shall i just ignore it?

Thanks guys any advice would be very much appreciated!

Edited November 8, 2009 by MARTIN3030

[MARTIN3030]

Welcome to the site.

Yes ignore it and any subsequent demands.

Only a court can give you a CCJ-and the chances of that happening are remote.

[JimmySpangle]

Totally ignore it. It is an invoice and as you didn't see the signs, there is no contract and thus no invoice to pay. DO NOT be tempted to phone them, or write to them in any way at all. You will get a series of threat-o-grams, ignore all of those as well, although they will be titled 'debt collector' or 'solicitors', it is actually them again. They will give up.

[geenabee18]

Thanks guys! I had no clue, luckily for me i searched the issue on the internet actually i was just about to go on their website and pay it! Thank god for the consumer forum's divine intervention!

Especially as christmas is coming up!

Will keep giving them the cold shoulder!

 

I was also scared about the photographs, but i have learned that this bears no significance!

Edited November 8, 2009 by geenabee18
adding

[asmodeus]

I was also scared about the photographs

 

Photos are for ANPR not driver recognition and have yet to see any that the driver of any of my families cars that are good enough for a positive ID if they show the driver at all. The alledged contract is with the driver at the time not the registered keeper.They do not know whothis is hence the paperwork goes to the RK

 

Generally PPC's do not do court as it is not cost effective to loose and the odds are firmly in the defendants favour

 

expect 3 to 4 invoices from the PPC in increasing amounts followed 1 or 2 from the Debt Collectors and a final 2 from the Solicitors before they move onto an easier target. The solicitors letter will probably have a list of additional costs and will also state that if you ignore it will not go away - this is the last gasp of a desperate scamster as it will go away

 

These are unenforcable invoices dressed up to look official with an added scare factor and the game is to see whose nerve breaks first

 

Ignore and win the game

[geenabee18]

Thanks guys! i am scared but i am going to be strong and stand my ground! will keep you posted!

[Rooster-UK]

Thanks guys! i am scared but i am going to be strong and stand my ground! will keep you posted!

 

Good for you..... Merry Christmas!

[asmodeus]

Thanks guys! I had no clue, luckily for me i searched the issue on the internet actually i was just about to go on their website and pay it

 

That is what they reply on - honest people who think they have committed some dreadful offence and paying up immediately without another thought.

 

These firms have no appeals or customer services departments inspite of what their websites may say and are just out to fleece the motorist

 

It will be scary but it is all paper threats as all they have done is send an unenforceable invoice that they hope to scare you into paying

 

Ignore everything

Edited November 10, 2009 by asmodeus

[alfonzo]

I have also received one of these dodgy looking letters from Athena ANPR re parking in a Lidl carpark (where I actually did some shopping in Lidl) and will not be engaging in any correspondence with them after reading the various helpful threads regarding this company.

 

From the wording on their letter, they state the following:

Because of CCTV evidence, there is "reasonable cause to believe" a contravention of their terms has ocurred. Either it has or it hasn't!!

Additionally it goes on to state that the notice has been issued for the "alleged" parking contravention. It's like a fishing trip for the unsuspecting to fill in the blanks for them.

 

Thankfully there is no legal obligation to furnish them with any details whatsoever and given the ridiculous sum of £90 requested by them, its borderline fraud akin to a bogus workman charging way over the odds.

 

Mind you, if they get £45 from someone, it's an excellent earner for them minus just the cost of a stamp and the £2.50 paid to DVLA for selling our private information on!!

 

Right where's my shredder!

 

Good luck to those in the same position and may your resolve hold.

[geenabee18]

I have also received one of these dodgy looking letters from Athena ANPR re parking in a Lidl carpark (where I actually did some shopping in Lidl) and will not be engaging in any correspondence with them after reading the various helpful threads regarding this company. DITTO!

 

From the wording on their letter, they state the following:

Because of CCTV evidence, there is "reasonable cause to believe" a contravention of their terms has ocurred. Either it has or it hasn't!!

Additionally it goes on to state that the notice has been issued for the "alleged" parking contravention. It's like a fishing trip for the unsuspecting to fill in the blanks for them.

I know they prey on the honest law-abiding citizens !! making them worry that they have commited such an awful offence!

Oh no i have overstayed, shock, horror send me to the gallows!!!!!!!!

 

Thankfully there is no legal obligation to furnish them with any details whatsoever and given the ridiculous sum of £90 requested by them, its borderline fraud akin to a bogus workman charging way over the odds.

 

Mind you, if they get £45 from someone, it's an excellent earner for them minus just the cost of a stamp and the £2.50 paid to DVLA for selling our private information on!!

 

Right where's my shredder!

 

Good luck to those in the same position and may your resolve hold.

 

Preach!! I think it is ridiculous that the DVLA sells our personal information to unscrupulous companies!

It is disgusting that they charge such extortionate rates 45.00-90.00! I'm sure that the council only charge 25.00-30????

We shall not We shall not be moved!!!!!!

lol thanks guys for all the help much appreciated!

[geenabee18]

just recieved my first final reminder from athena lol ooooh really scared not!

[alfonzo]

I went down to the carpark the other day to read their sign. They claim to give all parking charges to charity. Can't really see them making any money doing that. Sounds all very ropey. The sign also says that by parking in their carpark you agree to enter into an agreement that you pay the fine etc if you overstay. Thing is, if you haven't read the sign, then you haven't entered into any agreement at all. Its very wishy washy.

 

They play the odds and will always get someone to pay the fine.

 

Now spoken to quite a few folk who have had similar. These company's know they have no power whatsoever to request drivers details and the cost of taking anyone to the small claims court isn't really worth it as they could never prove who was driving the car and technically responsible.

[geenabee18]

just recieved a Notice of Collection proceedings from athena threatening me with debt collectors, county court judgements, baliffs warrant, attachement of earnings order, 3rd party debt order!

Boo Hoo!

unless i choose to pay 90 pounds within 7 days

they can go and swing off a cliff!

[alfonzo]

And they haven't even established who the driver of the vehicle was yet? Very presumptious eh! I received my first final reminder today seem to be exactly one step behind you! Did they also threaten to send the kitchen sink around as well as they seem to have threatened you with everything else

[letshelp]

A few more 'final' reminders to go.

regards

[geenabee18]

And they haven't even established who the driver of the vehicle was yet? Very presumptious eh! I received my first final reminder today seem to be exactly one step behind you! Did they also threaten to send the kitchen sink around as well as they seem to have threatened you with everything else

 

 

lol yeah seens like it, also the notice states that i was the driver of the vehicle! how the hell do they know?

it just looks so cheaply made!

[alfonzo]

Brown envelope = This is not a circular = shredder

[letshelp]

Brown envelope = This is not a circular = shredder

It would appear you are not taking their threats seriously:D

regards

[geenabee18]

Hey guys, well they have passed me onto a debt collector LRC Ltd!

They said i must pay 115.00 by the 17th december otherwise they will be no alternative but to commence court proceedings against me, to include a claim for costs and interest, without further notice.

 

also they state "Upon entering the car park you agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions that were placed at the entrance of the car parking, and in prominent places within"

 

Firstly, how the hell do they know whether the signs are in prominent places!, have they travelled especially to my town to check?

 

Secondly, why is there no proper signature at the bottom, i mean there is a signature but it is legal recoveries + collections limited!

Now this does not look right! it appears that it has been signed in pen then scanned onto the document!

 

Thirdly, this makes me laugh! it states YOURS FAITHFULLY

Faithful! I don't think so sonny!!!!

what a load of old cobblers!

 

Has anyone else recieved a letter like this! probably loads especially as they need the cash for their christmas party and bonus!

Well my purse is firmly closed!

put that in your pipe and smoke it!

[much annoyed]

I also received a parking fine in September for being over the alloted time. Unfortunately I only found your website after I had written an appeal as, believe it or not, I actually was in Lidl!

 

I wrote to them at the time admitting it (explaing that I have 2 babies) and signed it so I have confirmed the driver although all the subsequent letters/threats are still addressed to my husband as the registered owner.

 

Having now found you I have since been ignoring all their letters but I am worried that I have blown it by appealing at the start. The last letter requires £115 by 21st Dec or threatening court proceedings. I'm not worried but my husband is - he's the one that would have to go to court! Help do I pay or sit it out?

Edited December 17, 2009 by much annoyed

[crem]

I'm not worried but my husband is - he's the one that would have to go to court!

 

This is absolutely true, and as he was not the driver at the time, he cannot have entered into their alledged "contract". Case dismissed!

[lamma]

they have no claim at all against your husband. sit it out. Enjoy Christmas.

[letshelp]

Send the ppc a photograph of all the drink you bought with their invoice money, that will cheer them up.

regards

[alfonzo]

Not heard anything since the 3rd letter was sent in December 2009 (which I didn't even bother opening which is my policy for junk mail).

[crem]

Not heard anything since the 3rd letter was sent in December 2009 (which I didn't even bother opening which is my policy for junk mail).

 

You didn't open it?

 

But that might have been their final letter that said; "We are sorry have ever troubled you with our invalid and annoying charge. In view of all the upset we may have caused you please find enclosed a cheque for £50 as our appology."

 

(It probably didn't say that but you'll never know if it's not opened)