Hi!
I received a PCN from Smart Parking Ltd. via post on 01/08/2024, which exceeded the 14-day period from the date of supposed offence (09/07/2024). I followed guidance on various forums and appealed on 05/08/2024, not really expecting much but wanted to give it a shot. I thankfully have the email acknowledgement of my appeal dated 07/08/2024.I never received a response to my appeal but instead received a hiked up charge from Debt Recovery Plus Ltd. on 24/09/2024. Obviously, I know now that this violates the BPA Code of Practice as they are supposed to suspend any action pending adjudication. I appealed again on 02/10/2024 and received acknowledgement of appeal via email on 04/10/2024. Once again, I received no response but another threatening letter from Debt Recovery Plus. I called DRP and they were extremely rude and claimed I have to take it up with my email provider. They asked me to forward the acknowledgement of appeal and said they would send proof of response. But I know for a fact I received no email and I am certain it's not a problem with my email provider.
I want to complain to BPA but I have to show proof of complaining to Smart Parking Ltd. first which I did today via email. They responded, but not addressing the main claim in my complaint which is non response to my original appeal and forwarding my case to DRP in violation of section 23.6 of the BPA Code of Practice. Instead, they said I should have filed the appeal within 28 days of receiving the PCN (which I did) and asked me to contact DRP. I refuse to engage with DRP because they were involved before I received even a single response to my appeal. I have replied and said this, but I expect nothing from Smart Parking. I will now file a complaint with BPA but I was hoping if anyone knew of a better approach - I might have sucked it up and paid the original discounted penalty of £60 but I absolutely refuse to pay the £170 because they have absolutely violated the code of practice. Thanks in advance for any advice!
I received a PCN from Smart Parking Ltd. via post on 01/08/2024, which exceeded the 14-day period from the date of supposed offence (09/07/2024). I followed guidance on various forums and appealed on 05/08/2024, not really expecting much but wanted to give it a shot. I thankfully have the email acknowledgement of my appeal dated 07/08/2024.I never received a response to my appeal but instead received a hiked up charge from Debt Recovery Plus Ltd. on 24/09/2024. Obviously, I know now that this violates the BPA Code of Practice as they are supposed to suspend any action pending adjudication. I appealed again on 02/10/2024 and received acknowledgement of appeal via email on 04/10/2024. Once again, I received no response but another threatening letter from Debt Recovery Plus. I called DRP and they were extremely rude and claimed I have to take it up with my email provider. They asked me to forward the acknowledgement of appeal and said they would send proof of response. But I know for a fact I received no email and I am certain it's not a problem with my email provider.
I want to complain to BPA but I have to show proof of complaining to Smart Parking Ltd. first which I did today via email. They responded, but not addressing the main claim in my complaint which is non response to my original appeal and forwarding my case to DRP in violation of section 23.6 of the BPA Code of Practice. Instead, they said I should have filed the appeal within 28 days of receiving the PCN (which I did) and asked me to contact DRP. I refuse to engage with DRP because they were involved before I received even a single response to my appeal. I have replied and said this, but I expect nothing from Smart Parking. I will now file a complaint with BPA but I was hoping if anyone knew of a better approach - I might have sucked it up and paid the original discounted penalty of £60 but I absolutely refuse to pay the £170 because they have absolutely violated the code of practice. Thanks in advance for any advice!
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