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    • 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?
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      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.

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Benefit Fraud Interview Under Caution - worried sick


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Well folks, it's the day before my IUC and I am having to 'brave face it' at work in my temping job but shaking like a leaf underneath it all.

 

I saw the solicitor last week and presented him with a huge dossier of info which proves how hard I have worked to find a job and seek help with my situation. I became incredibly tearful in telling my story, but he seemed quite reassuring and advised that he feels I will incurr a caution and, naturally, have to repay every penny. Let's hope he's right and that nothing worse happens.

 

Despite my medication starting to kick in a 'prop me up' if you like, I'm growing increasingly panicky and fearful because I have worked tirelessly on my dossier and am STILL having to chase all and sundry for assistance:

  • The solicitor said a doctor's letter might help my case, so I wrote to the doctor that same day asking for this and clearly stating that I would need the letter by today. I hand-delivered my letter to the surgery and so far have had to chase three times. The letter is finally awaiting the doctor's signature, apparently, so I'm still awaiting the call saying I can go collect it.
  • I spent an intense weekend updating my dossier and it's now 175 pages - all showing proof of how I've asked so many organisations for their advice and assistance ... and then chased and chased for responses. I emailed this to the solicitor and asked him to acknowledge receipt and let me know the name of the person who would be attending my IUC with me tomorrow. At this time, I have now chased that twice by email and once by phone but am still to receive the response I have so urgently requested. (I'm now wondering if I'm in the best hands for representation tomorrow...?)

In short and without going into tons more boring detail, I have had and continue to have to chase every single person who has been contacted about this matter. I'm left wondering if anyone out there actually does their job properly any more...? Instead of feeling supported by the so-called professionals, I am left feeling very alone and extremely frightened.

 

I'm very grateful for the support of everyone who's posted a reply on here - heartfelt thanks to you all. I will let you know how it went when I return from my IUC tomorrow ... probably after a sleep as that's all I want to do right now!

 

Bright blessings to you all.

 

xXx

Damsel In Distress

 

*** If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. :-| ***

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Hi tabs 666

do you find the job frustating or do you have the budget and manpower, is fraud a hotspot now,

 

 

Well, we are understaffed, but things level out: If we had more people, we'd do more investigations. But on the whole I love my job and take the frustrations on the chin (s).

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Thank you SO much everyone.

Off to bed already as I've a thumping headache, so here's hoping for some rest.

Goodnight and Godbless one and all xXx

Damsel In Distress

 

*** If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. :-| ***

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How did you get on today, Damsel?

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)

 

 

 

 

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Just registered today so have just read all the posts and replies referring to damsel....waiting with baited breath on her outcome...I myself had a fraud investigation interview today and like the damsel turned up a quivering wreck ...and really had no clue what it was about only that it was with reference to my carers allowance ...Im a 47 year old single parent with four kids three girls all of whom have left home and are in the forces and 1 son...ive worked all my life and claimed tax credits child benefit etc but never claimed anything else until my 10year old son was diagnosed with autism at 2 when i started claiming dla and carers allowance ...left my managerial position in 2008 with the stress of my job and was in pretty bad shape for a while but never claimed relief until i started working part time within a couple of weeks of leaving my full time job and then started claiming housing benefit and council tax relief ...which i was very grateful of with having a big drop in my standard of living...the interview was because i had changed jobs twice since first claiming carers allowance once within the same company and then my part time job cant understand why where or when there was a fraud or offence committed but they want all my wage record from 2006 and child care costs .....they say i should have updated my records yearly but if they have had no updates each year why did they give me it for the last four years why didnt they stop the allowance because i had no clue i was doinganything wrong i thought tax credits and inland revenue carers allowance etc all came under the same umbrella ...will i be prosecuted im worried sick

help

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No worries mate.

 

Also, criminal solicitors are great at their jobs. However, they often haven't got a clue how the benefit system works. They will ensure PACE is adhered to etc, but it is often not their area of expertise. An interviews on tape for everyones benefit, it means that everything said is available verbatim.

 

If you attend one of these interviews and the tape is switched on, the people there give their names, you give yours etc. should you then not be asked if you object to the interview being taped? should you not be given the right to refuse the taped interview and have them write it down instead? That is what it states in the leaflet they send you. if they refuse to offer you that option, does that invalidate the tape? legally I believe it does.

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Condaleezer. An investigator can't force anyone to stay and be taped- hence the caution given by fraud investigators goes onto say "You are not under arrest... You may leave". I don't know why anyone would want a written interview they take more than twice as long and also there is not a sealed record of excatly what has been said.

I'm pretty sure there is still a right to ask for the interview to be handwritten.

Please do not ask me for advice via PM as I will not reply.

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I always explain that the interview is being taped for everyone concerneds benefit. If it's taped, then a true and complete record of everything thats said is available. This way the person I am interviewing is not relying on my interpretation,nor can there be any omissions or additions. Object to the interview, refuse it if necessary, but it makes no sense at all to go and refuse to be taped. Typing up a taped interview takes hours, imagine writing it as you go along?

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Many, many years ago when I was involved with interviewing people under caution, interviews were hand written. A real pain in the proverbials - particularly in a long interview!

Best wishes

Rae.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Dear All

Firstly, I'm SO sorry that I haven't posted since my IUC but firstly, I put it all behind me as though it was all over forever and then I was struck down by the most horrendous flu virus, from which I'll still at home recovering as I write.

The IUC was pretty much as I expected. I'd researched it, heeded all your good advice, and had a fairly good idea of what to expect. I'd spent hour upon hour preparing a huge dossier which comprised character reference letters from my parents and friends; my own statement as to the events leading to my feeling forced into temping whilst claiming; all my jobsearch evidence (well over 700 jobs applied for!); all of my written/emailed requests for help and advice from various organisations (Jobcentre Plus, CAB, Shelter, TV shows etc etc) as well as full details of the work I'd done and payslips received whilst claiming. I'd given my solicitor a hard copy of the dossier and emailed him an update the day before the IUC. (I hadn't been very impressed with my so-called solicitor at all, because I'd had to chase and chase for a response to anything so I began to wonder whether I should have gone elsewhere.)

On the day, I felt sick with nerves but knew that I'd done everything I could to explain my case. I dressed smartly, and arrived in good time to meet my solicitor's representative. To my horror, she had not been briefed AT ALL about my case, let alone been handed the dossier I'd worked so hard on. I was bloody furious, really upset, went to pieces and became very tearful. She was very apologetic but quickly scanned through my dossier and asked relevant questions, so, luckily for me, she was a smart lady and quickly got hold of the salient points.

My lawyer went in to see the investigators first and then came out to tell me that they only knew about a short spell of my working whilst claiming. However, I was adamant that I wanted to hand over all the evidence that I'd prepared and admit to 19 weeks of working/claiming in total, not just the 6-7 weeks that they knew about. I just hope that my honesty will go in my favour as much as possible.

The taped IUC itself was fairly quick and concise and, although I was sobbing (much to my annoyance - I couldn't help myself) I explained that I had done everything in my power to seek extra help and advice before being forced into a law-breaking situation.

The investigators were as nice as they could possibly be within the confines of their permitted behaviours and they suggested I forward to them my actual timesheets rather than just payslips. This is because there might be some days that can be excluded if I didn't work, took time out to attend interviews etc.

I was advised that it could take weeks/months before I hear anything and I asked if they could do their utmost to let me know asap, explaining that it's hell living in limbo.

Afterwards, I returned home and was utterly exhausted, so slept for most of the day. The next day, I returned to my temping job feeling bizarrely elated as though it was all over. It is not, of course, as I now await the outcome.

Shortly after that I was floored by a virus which has made me feel more ill than I can ever remember feeling before. Sadly, it's forced me to take time off work and, as a temp, I won't be paid, so that will only exacerbate my already dire financial situation. I feel too ill to even worry about it right now, but I know it'll all catch up with me.

This is the first day for ages that I've bothered to turn my PC on, hence being so delayed in posting. I still haven't submitted my timesheets to the investigators but hope to feel well enough to do so within the next day or so, with apologies for the delay.

So now we wait! I pray for a sensible outcome and hope I'm not 'crushed' further when hear any news.

Again, my heartfelt thanks to you all for your good wishes, great advice and friendly support. Also, the best of luck to anyone awaiting an IUC or the outcome of one.

My personal statement within my dossier ended with this:

I would like to end with two points:

1. The DWP currently run an advertising campaign which proudly announces “Last year, we caught 56,493 benefit thieves”. Undoubtedly some of these people will have had criminal intentions and be driven by greed, but statistically this is likely to be a small percentage. Surely, what this actually highlights is the fact that the benefits system does not support people as it should. At least two television series have recently proven the fact that people are unable to survive on benefits. The majority of people are not greedy or evil, just desperate to survive in a system that prevents them from doing so.

2. I did not want to cheat the system – but I could not risk losing my house as I do not have other options for accommodation. I still await an answer to the question that I have been asking all the way through this stressful time:

“what could I have legally done to bridge the large gap between benefits and what I absolutely had to pay monthly, just to keep the roof over my head”?

Bright blessings to you all. xXx

Damsel In Distress

 

*** If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. :-| ***

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