We have had to pay a bailiffs’ fee of nearly £300 because Lambeth council has pursued us for a parking fine, even though we have never driven our car in London.
We thought the penalty notice and ensuing letters were a scam, so we ignored them. Then a bailiffs’ letter set alarm bells ringing. The bailiffs said the car in question was a Vauxhall. We own a Nissan Nivara.
We appealed to the council and the court that had authorised the bailiffs, but we were told we were out of time. R and PT, Leeds
The first thing to say is that you should never, ever, ignore a penalty charge notice from a council. It won’t go away.
If you dispute it you must lodge a formal appeal within 28 days from receiving the notice and supply any evidence which, in your case, would have been a photo of your car.
When I contact the council on your behalf it realises that your number plate must have been cloned. Understandably, because you never challenged the charge, the council feels it acted correctly. “Had it been challenged we would have investigated and noted that the number plate was not matched with the car in question,” it says. “We only received information challenging the PCN once payment had been made to the bailiff.”
Luckily, it agrees to refund the charges as a goodwill gesture.
In the meantime, you must advise the DVLA that your number plate has been cloned. If you receive repeated fines for offences you have not committed they may agree to change your registration number.
Also inform the police because, even though they may not investigate, they will provide you with an incident number which you can use as evidence should you have to appeal future fines.
If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number.
