Stopped for 5 Min at petrol station

[Nik123]

Hi, my first post here.
Stopped at petrol station, I think for not more 5-8 minutes.
received a claim from Parking Control Solutions Ltd for £100 (£60 if I paid in 14 days).
Reason for issue the claim - Driver observed leaving site.
Original letter I received beginning of August 2024.


First, when I received this claim, I thought it was a scum, as I stopped there for very short time. So I ignored it.
However, now I keep receiving letters from Trace debt recovery UK limited, requesting £170 ! £170 for 5 minute stop seems a bit too steep. It seems hard to believe that courts can even consider such incredible claims.
Last letter from them was 29th November 2024.


I read some of the threads on the forum, but I didn't see debt recovery company involved.
What should be my response? And with whom should I communicate (parking company or debt recovery company)?

I believe I need to check signs at the site. Probably request some more information about my stay (duration, etc.).
As I mentioned, so far I have ignored all letters.
Thank you for your help.

[des8]

Not quite a "scum", but also nearly a "scam"

Trace Debt Recovery are solely toothless debt collectors, so you can ignore them completely.
Eventually you will receive a letter headed "letter of Action" or similar, or even a proper court claim .
These should not be ignored.
On receipt post up on this thread and we can help you dispute the claim.

In the meantime obtain photos of the parking signs, making sure even the smallest print is legible.
A note of the size of the fonts may be useful, and the height off the ground.
Note if there is one at the entrance of the location

[Nik123]

Thank you very much. I will get photos. As I can remember, there was nothing (signs) that would catch my attention.

[Nik123]

Well, the story goes on...
After ignoring them, these 'Parking Solutions' disappeared.
However, nearly a year and a half (18 months) later after the incident, I received Letter from Moorside legal and it says 'Letter before Claim'. They want £170 for 5 min parking.
Could I ignore them further? Or, should I contact them?

[des8]

Could you post up a copy of the original claim (if you still have it !) and of moorside's letter (first redacting any identifying details)

[Nik123]

These are initial letters from parking, then first debt collector and now this last one.

[des8]

So I would be responding to Moorside along the following lines:

Dear Sirs,

I am in receipt of your "Letter before claim" dated 20the January 2026, and note it is not a "Pre-Action Protocol Letter of Claim.

Nevertheless I deny that I have a debt owing to your client.

Your client did send me an invoice in August 2024 for an alleged reach of a parking contract.
This invoice was headed "NON POFA COMPLIANT"
You, as solicitors, will be aware that only the parties to a contract can sue or be sued for a breach of that contract.
The exception is that for private parking contracts where liability for unpaid parking charges can be transferred from the driver to the registered keeper if a Notice to Keeper (NTK) which is compliant with the mandated conditions of POFA 2012, is issued.
The Notice issued to me, the keeper, was not compliant with POFA 2012, and this is stated on the NTK

As the identity of the driver has not been disclosed, and no inferences can be made from that non disclosure,
As registered keeper I have no liability for any unpaid charges.

If your client should initiate a court claim, be advised that I will seek my costs on the basis of unreasonable behaviour in pursuing a claim that has no prospect of succeeding.

Yours ffly

send from post office with free certificate of posting
OR ignore them

[Nik123]

Thank you very much for your reply.
I wonder, could I email this to them, rather than to post a letter to them?

[des8]

If you prefer email, I would suggest you send it "read receipt".