Name game over parking (From Gazette)

Name game over parking

1:36pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Letters

I am writing in response to Roger Bradshaw’s letter (February 1).

It really is nice to see I am not the only one giving this advice about private parking companies. One thing that slipped both Roger’s and my minds, was that you should never, under any circumstances, give your real name.

Once you have publicly announced you were the driver, then it makes it easier for the companies to go to court.

This was the undoing of a chap who made the mistake of using his real name on a website. This site, along with most anti-private parking company sites, was monitored by the company concerned.

It used the evidence he unwittingly provided against him with devastating effect. By using an alias, you can cover your tracks and stop the companies from using your tale against you.

If you are unlucky enough to have already paid one of the invoices these people send out, you can still get your money back by issuing a claim through the Small Claims Court.

But, if you do this, make sure to make it a joint claim against both the private parking company and the landowner. That way, you do at least stand a good chance of getting your money back (plus expenses of course).

Patrick Mead
Windmill Court
Copford