Car clamp

[Lucytbrown]

hi I had a parking ticket last year which I reluctantly paid in December 2017.today - 16/08/2018 I return home from work to find a clamp on my car with a notice stuck to the window that states car has been immobilised due to unpaid penalty charge and to pay amount due in order to have clamp removed. The reference number displayed is the very same number of the payment I have already made. Please advise on my course of action
thankyou in advance,
lucytbrown

[ploddertom]

Before it got to this stage you should have received a Notice of Enforcement from the Bailiff. When did you last move?

[Lucytbrown]

Yes that rings a bell but didn’t want to contact a debt collection agency as it was not applicable and I assumed their mistake would be realised before any field visit was put into place

[ploddertom]

Yes that rings a bell but didn’t want to contact a debt collection as it was not applicable and I assumed their mistake would be realised before any field visit was put into place

Unfortunately that was mistake. You are going to have to check with the Council about this to see what they have to say. Please be aware that if you do owe it then the Bailiffs will have added £310 in fees and there is always the danger they may remove your vehicle.

[Lucytbrown]

Well I paid the pcn last December and I have now removed car so they can’t take it

[wales01man]

Have you removed the clamp?

[Lucytbrown]

I removed the whole wheel so have the clamp un-damaged

[Jinxer]

They have to prove you removed the clamp anyhow, which is nigh on impossible without a confession even if you do damage it.

[ploddertom]

Have you spoken to the Council yet?

Don't be surprised if your car is now reported as stolen - it is subject to a Controlled Goods Order and is now not yours to interfere with. You could also be charged with theft of or damage to the clamp if you have not returned it. Just be careful.

[Lucytbrown]

But I don’t understand - it is my car it is fully legal and I owe the council not a penny since I paid the amount demanded in December 2017!! I have kept the wheel with the clamp still attached so they can collect it once they acknowledge this

[ploddertom]

Regardless the Bailiff has a Warrant and is commanded to execute it. Complaint is not made to the Bailiff - he is only carrying out instructions - but to whoever instructed them which I assume will have been the Council. As said previous have you contacted them?