UKPC parking invoice - tesco Faraday retail park,Coatbank Street, Coatbridge. ML5 3SQ scotland

[Al27]

Originally Posted by Mr_Eee

Now somewhere I read that if it were to go to court (I know how unlikely this is) they would look unkindly on someone who did not try to resolve the situation first.

 

If you don't contact them, there's less chance of it going to court in the first place.

 

If it does go to court, and you haven't contacted them, you can apply for a mediation period and then contact them (carefully).

[letshelp]

How many times have you reported a 'harassment'? If you're lucky to get past the civilian counter clerk, just you watch the eyes glaze over when you explain that a DCA is contacting you. You'll be told to take it up with BT, Ofcom or the creditor.

 

As I have stated previously, just because the Police Officer or the Civilian Counter Clerk do not understand/know that the PPC or DCA behaviour is actually an offence under the Harassment Act, does not mean it is not worth reporting, you never know you may actually find one that knows what they are doing. Have you never wondered how crime figures are kept down?....Minor thefts that become, 'Lost property' etc.

 

Again, you seem to 'speak for the Law' what gives you this authority? You are expressing your opinion, as am I. But only a judge can decide.

 

How DO you make a 'successful complaint' of harassment? How many calls must you have received before it is a slam-dunk?

 

The Harassment Act does not say, but as we have agreed previously the action taken by these people has to be, 'reasonable'.

 

Sure, keep a record of all interactions, and recordings, but lets be realistic here - it won't go to court unless it steps up several gears and personal safety is threatened,

 

I would also agree with you saying it won't go to court unless it is stepped up a gear or two, and it is really not for the Police to act as judge and jury in deciding which case to put forward to the CPS, although that is exactly what they are doing.

regards

[buzby]

Fully agree - the biggest hurdle is getting the police to take ANY interest in a claim of harassment, however as we have found here there are a multiplicity of degrees, and with neighbour disputes also being classed as harassment (from or by) it is easy to see why those who cry wolf spoil it for those with genuine grievances. This is why phone calls from a DCA are way down the pecking order.

[finefight]

Hi Folks, Thought I'd give you an update and for those more recent posters here's my UKPC experience so far... I initially explained to UKPC that I was not the driver of the vehicle and so did not enter into any 'contract' but of course that didn't make any difference and after a while I began to get letters from Rossendales collect which I didn't reply to - even though I was sorely tempted! This went on for a while and I got several threats of a visit which of course never happened and now it's all quiet, I've not heard a thing for nearly two months. That's not to say that this is the end but my MP did bring up this issue with the DVLA for releasing my details and I got good support from Lawanswers.co.uk which gives free legal advice on just about everything. Also excellent advice from this site . So in my opinion there is absolutely no point in entering into any communication with anyone unless you really were the driver of the vehicle and did read the signs in which case you could still deny liability and hope that they don't have video or photographic evidence of you. I think the main thing that I've learnt is that writting letters to these leaches is utterly pointless. I really wanted to at first but you've got to chill out and not let them wind you up with their threats - this is what they want! If you really want to write letters then do so but send them to your MP and complain about the DVLA giving your details to private companies. IGNORE UKPC and their henchmen, well that's what I've decided. At the end of the day the choice is yours but I was and still am more than prepared to go to court to fight but only if they actually issue a court hearing against me. Good luck all

[Mr_Eee]

Thanks everyone for agreeing that the best option is to completely ignore them. That is what I intend to do personally.

The Mrs has only got the first letter so far, I'll update you as she gets more on behalf of the driver!

[Annoy them back]

Interesting thing has now started happening to me. Roxburgh have started telephoning me. The first time my husband answered the phone - I wasn't home and they just asked for me and when told I wasn't home just backed off - that was about 3 weeks ago. Tonight they rang and got me. They were quite threatening, wanting to know why I hadn't paid the fine. I simply said I was not going to have a conversation with them and put the telephone down. Since then they have rung a further 4 times. I now recognise the number and have not answered the phone. Anybody else had this experience? Any suggestions how to handle it?

Hi there

I have had loads of PCNs or whatever they're labelled from the same hospital car park. I always appeal these directly to the company running the park and usually get a sensible resolution. However, some of these have been passed to Roxburghe debt collection.

Have had numerous calls from Roxburghe/Graham White solicitors regarding `parking fines`. At first was very irritated, but now quite happily annoy them back!

 

When they call-

1. Ask for their full name- some will give forename and surname, others claim they don't give out names.

2. Ask the exact details regarding the supposed offence: they will have a reference number but no other details.

3. Tell them there is no way you will ever pay them and that they should be ashamed of their constant calls demanding money without any knowledge of exactly why they are demanding it.

 

Most of them will hang up at this point, but some are quite friendly and used to an angry conversation so then:

 

4. Ask them how they will proceed in legal terms.

5. Ask who their solicitor is: they usually tell you Michael Sobell of Graham White solicitors.

6. Ask if this is the same Michael Sobell who works for Hackney council and is in fact never in the Roxburghe/Graham White solicitors office in Surrey.

 

They will usually be silent at this stage or get you another person to speak to you who will tell you that your case is cancelled.

 

7. Tell them NEVER to write or phone again and explain to them politely that they should be ashamed of how they make their living.

 

IT WORKS- I've had around 6 different tickets cancelled on this one call and haven't heard from them since, mind you have had another recent ridiculous `parking fine` so may be chatting to them soon.

 

REMEMBER: they do not have a leg to stand on: embarrass them when they call by showing you know where they are and what their [problem] is.

 

ALSO: check some threads regarding Michael Sobell and Graham White solicitors: you'll find he's under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority due to the fact he registered this `solicitors firm` illegally.

[letshelp]

When they call-

 

How do they get your telephone number in the first instance?

regards

[Annoy them back]

Should of mentioned: we're with BT and not ex-directory so that would be easy for them to get.

[Mr_Eee]

One thing I've always made sure of is that I am not in the BT telephone directory, but also not ex-directory. That way if anyone wants to get hold of me, they can. BUT only if they pay to do it via directory enquiries. That stops cold callers whilst still being reachable. It also means I can't be found via the web!

Also opt out of being on the electronic form of the electoral register (I think that's what it's called?) which means that you don't go on any of those purchasable databases either like 192.com.

[Annoy them back]

Thanks for that- will follow your advice

[bsafirebird]

I'm on my 3rd letter from our friends Rossendales this one is the "Final demand", following all the top tips on here this one has been filed away with all the others and I have also had a call from Rossendales from a rather unpleasant individual called "John". Out of interest what is par for the course for the number of letters or calls, I actually look forward to getting them now, don't think I'll get an invite to their Chrimbo party though:)

[letshelp]

Hi Bsafirebird,

 

You probably have at least the final, final, final and very final demand to go!!!

regards

[bigbaby]

Bigbaby has received a UKPC parking fine for £70. If the fine gets paid in the first 14 days, it will be £40. A photograph of the car with the attached fine parked in a Tesco car park, on a yellow zig zagged line is also sent. I have read several messages on this website saying I should write back to say "I am the registered keeper of the car, not the driver". Is this advice still good?

Edited December 8, 2008 by bigbaby

[lamma]

only if you were not the driver. much quicker and easier to just file their paper somewhere safe and ignore them and the letters they will send to the registered keeper.

[Oatbag]

Hi Guys

Do we still ignore Rossendales when they send their "notice of visit" letter saying a debt collector will visit within the next "few" days, and that the account will NOT be overlooked?????

 

Thanks!

[lamma]

oh yes. even better if they do waste fuel and time to visit when they have no powers at all and will be wasting their own time and money. but they know that already which is why the don't visit. As they are members of the CSA report them to the CSA for this threat - its against CSA rules. welcome to the csa group - x

[Mr_Eee]

Woohoo, letter no. 2 just turned up. telling me it's too late to pay the 50% discounted rate and now we have to pay an increased amount.

 

How long do I have to wait before the next letter then? Assuming I do nothing, LOL

[letshelp]

I think you have at least 4 more final, final, final and then a very final letter to go:D

regards

[lamma]

yes. more time and money to be wasted by the PPC. which is nice.

[Vegasgirl]

Since my several threatending phonecalls all on one day in November - I have had no more calls or letters. Do you think they are full of Christmas spirit and taking a break or have they lost interest and moved on?

[Oddballs]

Hi Guys

I'm new to the site and just want to thanks to all of you.

My 17 year old daughter is being chased by UKPC and we need all the moral support we can get, it would be much easier to deal with if the they were after me.

We've had a couple of charge notices from UKPC and now the first threatening letter from Rossendales has arrived, I just hope I'm doing the right thing by ignoring them.

[lamma]

nearing the end, expect another piece of rubbish or two from rossendales. file in drawer and ignore. many examples on here.

[just wondering]

I recently got a parking ticket from UKPC in the Becton triangle retail park.

 

I understand that as I was not on the public highway or on property owned by the local council this is not a penalty ticket, but an invoice for an alleged contract UKPC are alledging they made with the driver of the vehicle.

 

In order for a contract to be legally binding there needs to be both "Offer" and "acceptance" by the other party.

 

Would I be right to assume that one can only accept an "offer" once an "offer" has been received ie I cannot without knowlege of an offer accept it?

 

Am I right to assume that as there was no sign or communication of UKPC intending to make an "offer" ie you park here and we will charge you £X, then it does not seem possible to make a legally binding "acceptance" of this offer and form a contract?

 

More over am I right to assume that if they subsequently put up signs, these signs must be clearly visible, prior to one making an "implied Acceptance", by parking their car. ie if you park you car and then see their signs and susequently move your car you have not accepted their offer to a legally binding contract?

[lamma]

pretty much spot on. but the PPCs face lots of other issues as well. see http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/parking-traffic-offences/164651-problems-ppcs-face.html?highlight=problems+ppc+face

[Vermillion]

hi, Guys,

I keep jumping around from thread to thread and have found solace in knowing there are others in the same boat regarding letters from Rossendales Collect. Much needed as my husband would just pay up anything. I am stirring it as much as I can by compaining to authoritative bodies but I have heard, but may be wrong that the behaviour of PPCs is being brought up in the House of Commons next year. Correct me do.