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    • I found that the parkin attended has a car with CCTV camera on it, however as I stated earlier, it seems that he did not take video of my car otherwise they would have stated so in the SAR. parking car .pdf
    • The rules state that "approved devices may only be used in limited circumstances"  I was not a threat. I was not present. I did not drive away. I think he has not fulfilled the necessary requirements justifying issuing me a PCN by post therefore the PCN was issued incorrectly and not valid.  What are your thoughts?  
    • I have also found this:  D.2 Service of a PCN by post: 54) There are some circumstances in which a PCN (under Regulation 10) may be served by post: 1) where the contravention has been detected on the basis of evidence from an approved device (approved devices may only be used in limited circumstances) 2) if the CEO has been prevented, for example by force, threats of force, obstruction or violence, from serving the PCN either by affixing it to the vehicle or by giving it to the person who appears to be in charge of that vehicle 3) if the CEO had started to issue the PCN but did not have enough time to finish or serve it before the vehicle was driven away and would otherwise have to write off or cancel the PCN 55) In any of these circumstances a PCN is served by post to the owner and also acts as the NtO. The Secretary of State recommends that postal PCNs should be sent within 14 days of the contravention. Legislation states that postal PCNs must be sent within 28 days, unless otherwise stated in the Regulations. This from London Councils Code of Practice on Civil Parking Enforcement.  The question is what is an approved device? Certainly, he had the opportunity to place the ticket on my car and I didn't drive away.  I looked further and it seems that an approved device is a CCTV camera - It seems that the photos taken were not actual film but images and it is not clear if they are taken from a video or are stills. I'm guessing if it was moving images then the SAR would have stated this.    From the Borough of Hounslow website: "There are two types of PCN issued under the Traffic Management Act 2004, which governs parking contraventions. The first is served on-street by a Civil Enforcement Officer, who will observe a vehicle and collect evidence before serving the PCN either by placing it in a plastic wallet under the windscreen wiper, or by handing it to the driver. The second is a PCN served by post, based on CCTV footage taken by an approved device, which has been reviewed by a trained CCTV Operator."   From Legislation.gov.uk regarding approved devices: Approved Devices 4.  A device is an approved device for the purposes of these Regulations if it is of a type which has been certified by the Secretary of State as one which meets requirements specified in Schedule 1. SCHEDULE 1Specified requirements for approved devices 1.  The device must include a camera which is— (a)securely mounted on a vehicle, a building, a post or other structure, (b)mounted in such a position that vehicles in relation to which relevant road traffic contraventions are being committed can be surveyed by it, (c)connected by secure data links to a recording system, and (d)capable of producing in one or more pictures, a legible image or images of the vehicle in relation to which a relevant road traffic contravention was committed which show its registration mark and enough of its location to show the circumstances of the contravention. 2.  The device must include a recording system in which— (a)recordings are made automatically of the output from the camera or cameras surveying the vehicle and the place where a contravention is occurring, (b)there is used a secure and reliable recording method that records at a minimum rate of 5 frames per second, (c)each frame of all captured images is timed (in hours, minutes and seconds), dated and sequentially numbered automatically by means of a visual counter, and (d)where the device does not occupy a fixed location, it records the location from which it is being operated. 3.  The device and visual counter must— (a)be synchronised with a suitably independent national standard clock; and (b)be accurate within plus or minus 10 seconds over a 14-day period and re-synchronised to the suitably independent national standard clock at least once during that period. 4.  Where the device includes a facility to print a still image, that image when printed must be endorsed with the time and date when the frame was captured and its unique number. 5.  Where the device can record spoken words or other audio data simultaneously with visual images, the device must include a means of verifying that, in any recording produced by it, the sound track is correctly synchronised with the visual image.
    • Hearing took place today.  Case dismissed with costs awarded. Neither UKPC or a representative turned up.  Apparently they messaged the court on 7 May asking for their case to be considered on paper.  Never informed me, which was criticised by the judge as not following procedure.  I was really annoyed as I would have preferred for the case to be thrown out before the hearing, or at least face them in court and see them squeal.   They are just playing a numbers game and hope you blink 1st!   Ended up having to change my flight, but  the costs awarded softens the blow. Was asked to confirm it was my signature on both the witness statement and supplementary statement.  Wasn't asked to read them, said she could see my arguments made and the signs were insufficient and no contract formed. Took maybe 10 mins in total.  Judge did most of the talking and was best for me just to keep quiet or confirm any statements made. Happy to have won as a matter of principle and have costs awarded. Maybe not worth all the time and hassle for any newbies or the technologically challenged.  But if you are stubborn like me and willing to put in the time and effort, you can beat these vultures! I big shout out to everyone who helped on the thread with their advice and guidance, special mention to FTMDave, thank you sir!  Really appreciate everyone's efforts. All the best!
    • I plan to be honest to avoid any further trouble, tell them that the name should be changed to my official name
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    • 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.

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Advanced Investigation Services - anyone?


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Here is why each and every time anyone finds these companies doing what they do and shouldn't, we should complain:

 

I wrote this to the OFT:

 

Subject: Unlicensed trading company

 

 

Dear Sirs,

 

I recently received the attached letter from a company calling itself Advanced Investigation Services. You will see from it the tone of the contents, its mere title reflects certain intimidatory intrusion.

 

Contrary to what it states this is the first letter I have ever received from an organisation calling itself Advanced Investigation Services.

 

The bold type wording along the bottom 'Specialist in Locating people at their home address' is again (whilst being a stupid slogan in my opinion anyway as where else are they likely to find us?) is again intimidatory to the unsuspecting.

 

Checking this company on the OFT CCA licence register failed to locate such an organisation or trading style. I then went to the company which is stated along the foot of the headed paper Clanchatton Birmingham Ltd and found they were indeed registered, but there is no listed trading style of Advanced Investigation Services and I believe that this is a criminal offence to trade without such a licence.

 

I would therefore like to make a compliant to your goodselves to stop this company in its tracks from sending such documentation out and that you will deal with them with the teeth we understand you have to deal with them.

 

They are also not registered with the Information Commissioners and therefore breeching their regulations and I will be reporting this company to them also.

 

I appreciate and acknowledge you do not take up individual complaints as such or offer legal advice. I do not require either. I just want this company halted and fined for doing what is against the law if this is what you find from your investigation.

 

 

This is against the law, a criminal offence and systematic within the Debt Collection Industry and must stop. I trust I can leave this in good hands?

 

 

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

 

and this is what the OFT wrote to me! :D

 

Dear andrew1

 

 

 

Consumer Credit Act 1974 (the Act)

 

Complaint Against: Advanced Investigation Services.

 

Licence No: Unlicensed

 

 

 

Thank you for your email received on 27 July 2010.

 

Under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, if a business wishes to be involved in activities relating to consumer credit or hire, including debt collection and debt management, they must have a consumer credit licence. The Office of Fair Trading (the OFT) has duty to enforce the Act, along with local authority Trading Standards Services (TSS).

 

Upon checking the information provided in your letter, it appears that this trader does not hold a consumer credit licence. I have therefore forwarded your complaint to the TSS where the trader is based for it to consider investigating the matter of unlicensed trading in their area. The TSS is:

 

 

Worcestershire County Council

Trading Standards Service

Worcestershire County Council

County Hall

Spetchley Road

Worcester

WR5 2NP

 

t: 08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************08454 040506******end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************08454 040506******end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************08454 040506******end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************08454 040506******end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************08454 040506******end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************08454 040506******end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************08454 040506******end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Consumer Direct for consumer advice)

e: [email protected]

 

 

Your local TSS may be able to provide further advice, or you may wish to consider seeking independent legal advice.

 

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Enquiries and Reporting Centre

 

Office of Fair Trading

 

 

 

Ya don't Feck with the Cabot Fan Club :D

Edited by andrew1
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Fantastic, well done. I assume you will be following this up with the Worcs TS to make sure that they do actually do something. I didn't know that it was the local TS rather than the OFT that deals with trading without a CCL. You may just need to watch that the issue doesn't get 'lost' in the transition.

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Fantastic, well done. I assume you will be following this up with the Worcs TS to make sure that they do actually do something. I didn't know that it was the local TS rather than the OFT that deals with trading without a CCL. You may just need to watch that the issue doesn't get 'lost' in the transition.

 

I'll be following this right the way through. This is a CCS operation and I'm going to get this off to BT too who instructed them to collect.

 

Daft thing is the account, shortly after I received this Advanced letter went out to another agency. Drives me nuts when they pass these accounts about like this.

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Ccs?

 

Sorry, Commercial Credit Services all part of this Clanchatton Birmingham Ltd shower.

 

They have a big CCS at the top of their letters. Commercial Credit Services are on the Clanchatton Birmingham Ltd licence, why they decide to use this Advance Investigation Services trading style without applying it to their licence I know not, but it is going to be a costly error if I have anything to do with it.

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I too have received a letter from these people. It should be noted that as well as everything else they are using an 0871 number charged at 10p per minute.

 

email gone off to Worcester Trading Standards [email protected]

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I too have received a letter from these people. It should be noted that as well as everything else they are using an 0871 number charged at 10p per minute.

 

email gone off to Worcester Trading Standards [email protected]

 

[email protected] is handling this.

 

This very nice gentleman from Worcestershire Trading Standards just telephoned me and I told him in no uncertain terms what I expected him to do. I'll just pass on your message too about the telephone charges, he won't be impressed :D

 

Keep em coming, Advanced must have sent out 10's of thousands of these letters.

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Can a Mod please change the letter on the Thread title to Advanced with the ' d ' on the end so as not to confuse anyone or get us in trouble with any other company with the similar name. I can't edit the posts or headings myself since you've removed the edit buttons and can you also put all those phone numbers right on the first post. I asked before but nothings happened.

 

Sorry to have to ask, but if you decided to remove the edit buttons it will no doubt create this kind of unnecessary work for moderators.

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done. :)

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collection-industry/269859-advanced-investigation-services-anyone-2.html#post3069396

 

t: 08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highli ghting**************08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting******end_of_the_sk ype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highli ghting**************08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting******end_of_the_sk ype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highli ghting**************08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting******end_of_the_sk ype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highli ghting**************08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting******end_of_the_sk ype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highli ghting**************08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting******end_of_the_sk ype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highli ghting**************08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting******end_of_the_sk ype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highli ghting**************08454 040506 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08454 040506 end_of_the_skype_highlighting******end_of_the_sk ype_highlighting (Consumer Direct for consumer advice)

 

Done??? :D:D

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It would appear that the 'company' calling itself Advanced Investigation Services are part and parcel of S C Gray Solicitors Ltd., Shire House, Paradise Row, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 2DD Tel 08713841051 (AIS use 08713841050 & 08713841054) Fax No 01527870071 (same as AIS).

There is just one director of SC Gray, a solicitor called Fiona Shorte, she is a regulated Solicitor under SRA number 471243. Payment slip on bottom of their letters are to Clanchatton Birmingham Ltd, who are the 'parent' company for AIS.

 

All points to both Gray's and AIS being part and parcel of CCS

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It would appear that the 'company' calling itself Advanced Investigation Services are part and parcel of S C Gray Solicitors Ltd., Shire House, Paradise Row, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 2DD Tel 08713841051 (AIS use 08713841050 & 08713841054) Fax No 01527870071 (same as AIS).

There is just one director of SC Gray, a solicitor called Fiona Shorte, she is a regulated Solicitor under SRA number 471243. Payment slip on bottom of their letters are to Clanchatton Birmingham Ltd, who are the 'parent' company for AIS.

 

All points to both Gray's and AIS being part and parcel of CCS

 

 

That may well be so and well done for showing this, but if Advanced Investigation Services send out letters as they have done to me without any reference to a firm of solicitors and show themselves on the headed notepaper as Clanchatton Brimingham Limited T/A Advanced Investigation Services then they have to be on Clanchatton's OFT Licence and they aren't. End of!

 

The next thing then following your discovery is to find out if S.C. Gray are in-house solicitors of Clanchatton and what their licences say. Off we go :p

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  • 1 month later...

Not sure about SC Gray, but I did get a call from Mr Bell at Trading Standards yesterday telling me he had taken this matter up with Advanced Investigation Services. They told TS that this was an 'oversight' and they are now going through the process of addressing this with their OFT License.

 

In one way I'm pleased they have been caught and we exposed it, but in another I am slightly unhappy they have not had a heavy hand laid on them. There have been but a few complain since I raised it so Mr Bell did not feel it warranted that any sizeable reprimand would be made.

 

All I can say is that we have caught them, and it's being fixed. If I got stopped for not having a valid driving license I'd be banned or fined, same should happen here..we'll see, but - Job done :-D

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Not sure about SC Gray, but I did get a call from Mr Bell at Trading Standards yesterday telling me he had taken this matter up with Advanced Investigation Services. They told TS that this was an 'oversight' and they are now going through the process of addressing this with their OFT License.

 

In one way I'm pleased they have been caught and we exposed it, but in another I am slightly unhappy they have not had a heavy hand laid on them. There have been but a few complain since I raised it so Mr Bell did not feel it warranted that any sizeable reprimand would be made.

 

All I can say is that we have caught them, and it's being fixed. If I got stopped for not having a valid driving license I'd be banned or fined, same should happen here..we'll see, but - Job done :-D

 

It is companies like this that get private investigation firms a bad name.

 

They are not private investigators they are in debt collection.

 

The private investigation industry has been working with the SIA to sort out licensing for years now - hopefully it will be in force within 12 months - but the SIA are dragging their heals over it.

 

A big well done for exposing this sham company for what they are - debt collectors.

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The bold type wording along the bottom 'Specialist in Locating people at their home address' is again (whilst being a stupid slogan in my opinion anyway as where else are they likely to find us?) is again intimidatory to the unsuspecting.

 

 

OMG! I nearly spat my tea out reading that line....!! lol!! :bounce::bounce:

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It's a shame they aren't really a private investigations firm, they would've head hunted Andrew1 and we wouldn't now have the knowledge we do.

 

Thanks for all you kind words.. I wish someone would head hunt me, I could do with some work !!:violin:

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  • 3 months later...
All I can say is that we have caught them, and it's being fixed. If I got stopped for not having a valid driving license I'd be banned or fined, same should happen here..we'll see, but - Job done :-D

 

Have you had any more info on whether AIS have sorted out their licensing 'oversight' since you posted this?

 

The reason I ask is that I got a dunning letter from these clowns last week (complete with their hilarious SPECIALIST IN LOCATING PEOPLE AT THEIR HOME ADDRESS strapline) and I'd love to be able to sic the TS people onto them again if they haven't cleaned up their act.

 

Regards

Luke

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The 'oversight' - actually a criminal offence - now appears to have been rectified.

 

Quite right Scarlet (and what on earth were you doing on here at 0.14am on New Years day? - weren't you partying? LOL) Trading Standards told me they had made contact with them and it was all being put into order. Pity they still have the idiots phrase of the year though about finding us in our homes....maybe they think we are all bed-hopping to avoid them? :lol:

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  • 1 month later...
Just had the exact same letter,whats the best template letter to send?

 

 

Depends what you owe and why? They have been given a slapped wrist and forgiven the error of their ways by Trading Standards and have now rectified the legal aspects of their trading style, the content of the letter relates no doubt to a debt they are collecting and that's a different story altogether. There's a lot of advice if you feel you don't owe the debt, but Id suggest going back to the original creditor name on here and looking up others who have been passed on to debt collectors if you have some doubts about the debt itself.

 

Short answer if you don't dispute the debt is to talk to them and discuss some kind of payment plan so you don't get lots od default notices on your credit file, but without knowing your situation it's difficult to advise further really. I don't like talking to DCA's and don't normally advise it unless you are comfortable with the debt itself, but just having difficulty in paying. Then phone and see what you can sort out between you - they are only doing their job until they start getting heavy and breaching the OFT guidelines on debt recovery or harrassing you - then we can support you and get it stopped.

 

Good luck anyway. Just don't cut and paste stuff from here without knowing what it means - ASK - or you could end up in the depths of litigation and court before you know it.

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