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As a first time user, please accept apologies if I am replicating similar queries.
I had an outstanding parking fine from Leicestershire CC. The debt was passed to Equita and I received a letter in November detailing the outstanding charge and contact details to pay, with the additional "what happens next...."
At the bottom of the letter was a box of very small type detailing daily charges and an £11.20 fee for preparing and issuing the demand. Total due £125.44
I called the number posted and identified that since the letter date detailing £125.44 and the day of my call (5 days) the bill had increased by £42.00 I naturally queried the amount and argued as the letter clearly stated £125.44 and I had no other correspondence, no visits had been made etc, I owed £125.44.
The operator confirmed that she would take the payment of £125.44 if I could pay there and then and close the matter. I gave her my card details and she confirmed the payment was authorised.
My bank statement shows the payment cleared 12th Nov 2011.
I was therefore surprised to receive a letter on 5th Jan, posted 4th Jan saying the Penalty was still unpaid and if payment wasn't made in 7 days I would get a Bailiff attending to remove.......
I called Equita, they now said that they gave me 28 days to pay the additional £42 and I had failed to settle. I asked the operator if she could evidence such a claim- the usual "I don't have to, but we record our calls so we know what we said..." I asked to speak to a supervisor, the same- "put it in writing, can't put you through".
I faxed a letter to the number given but got no reply. I called again, expressing concern that I had no details of the outstanding, or how the £42 had remained on the file, but was told to pay £42 and complain if I felt it was unjustified. I asked for someone senior to speak to and was told I would have a call back in 24 hrs.
The following day I had a bailiff at my door (some reply) - I was at work so what followed was a heated telephone conversation as now asking for £287 - no details, no breakdown just a threat to remove my wife's vehicle if I didn't pay. Needless to say I paid. When I got home, the bailiff had returned in the afternoon and posted a receipt undated with a reduced amount of £235.40 that had been charged to my card (details given over the phone).
The bailiff gave me Karen Fowler's fax no. - I faxed a letter stating my concern and that they could not have a call record including a statement that there was still £42 outstanding, that they had my card details on 9th Nov to take whatever was required to clear the charges and they took £125.44. I advised if I did not hear in 14 days I would pursue a refund in Northampton County Court.
I have called again today without success, just the "we have noted your call and will endeavour to get a supervisor to call you in the next 24 hrs".
What should I do next
Many thanks
I had an outstanding parking fine from Leicestershire CC. The debt was passed to Equita and I received a letter in November detailing the outstanding charge and contact details to pay, with the additional "what happens next...."
At the bottom of the letter was a box of very small type detailing daily charges and an £11.20 fee for preparing and issuing the demand. Total due £125.44
I called the number posted and identified that since the letter date detailing £125.44 and the day of my call (5 days) the bill had increased by £42.00 I naturally queried the amount and argued as the letter clearly stated £125.44 and I had no other correspondence, no visits had been made etc, I owed £125.44.
The operator confirmed that she would take the payment of £125.44 if I could pay there and then and close the matter. I gave her my card details and she confirmed the payment was authorised.
My bank statement shows the payment cleared 12th Nov 2011.
I was therefore surprised to receive a letter on 5th Jan, posted 4th Jan saying the Penalty was still unpaid and if payment wasn't made in 7 days I would get a Bailiff attending to remove.......
I called Equita, they now said that they gave me 28 days to pay the additional £42 and I had failed to settle. I asked the operator if she could evidence such a claim- the usual "I don't have to, but we record our calls so we know what we said..." I asked to speak to a supervisor, the same- "put it in writing, can't put you through".
I faxed a letter to the number given but got no reply. I called again, expressing concern that I had no details of the outstanding, or how the £42 had remained on the file, but was told to pay £42 and complain if I felt it was unjustified. I asked for someone senior to speak to and was told I would have a call back in 24 hrs.
The following day I had a bailiff at my door (some reply) - I was at work so what followed was a heated telephone conversation as now asking for £287 - no details, no breakdown just a threat to remove my wife's vehicle if I didn't pay. Needless to say I paid. When I got home, the bailiff had returned in the afternoon and posted a receipt undated with a reduced amount of £235.40 that had been charged to my card (details given over the phone).
The bailiff gave me Karen Fowler's fax no. - I faxed a letter stating my concern and that they could not have a call record including a statement that there was still £42 outstanding, that they had my card details on 9th Nov to take whatever was required to clear the charges and they took £125.44. I advised if I did not hear in 14 days I would pursue a refund in Northampton County Court.
I have called again today without success, just the "we have noted your call and will endeavour to get a supervisor to call you in the next 24 hrs".
What should I do next
Many thanks
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