Hi all,
First time here so please let me know if anything in this post should be changed.
Backstory:
I was in Bulgaria on business in June/July and had no knowledge of my PCN before leaving (turns out my mate moved my car out of his drive into the parking area for a couple hours where I received this PCN).
Upon arriving home I find two letters,
one being a final reminder sent mid June by VCS
and then a debt collection notice sent by ZZPS in mid July.
As I was out of the country and couldn't access my mail,
I had no idea any of this was happening in my absence
and had no chance to appeal the ticket in the allotted 28 days.
The ticket was for £100, to be reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks and is now at £160 due to the debt collection agency add on.
I haven't received any other letters regarding this claim.
What I've tried:
I have tried to go through the various appeals process,
but when searching my ticket ref on the provided websites (namely myparkingcharge.co.uk as noted at the bottom of the VCS letter and the IPC website itself) it comes back with nothing,
meaning that I couldn't have appealed it regardless.
I even tried POPLA, and they can't find the ticket either.
After contacting an ombudsman, they suggested to complain through the companies.
VCS said that it was to go through ZZPS as they now were in charge of the debt
, ZZPS replied as follows:
"We must inform you that you have now passed the time frame in which an appeal can be made as appeals can only be made within 28 days of the Parking Charge Notice being issued, our client maintains that all correspondence received has been actioned accordingly and that the correct procedure has been followed.
The balance of £160.00 remains payable on our systems, please refer to the back of our letter for the payment options available to you. In the absence of payment this matter will be referred to solicitors to resolve and further fees may be incurred."
What do I do?
If none of the appeals agencies even agree that the reference number matches any ticket, has a ticket even been issued against me?
The collectors are refusing to provide evidence.
I am not exactly inclined to pay this "debt" until the relevant parties prove their claim.
Any advice would be appreciated as I feel like I'm about to get strong armed out of £160
Attached are the letters received, along with the website response when I search the reference. Personal info along with refs blacked out for obvious reasons.