Clamping and extortionate fees

I have just been clamped outside a bankrupt shop.

I had been away fron the car for 10 minutes. The paperwork demand stuck on the window was for £125 + VAT = £150. I refused this, pointing to a (smalll) sign on the wall of the shop (not actually very near where I had parked) which said "Release fee £75".

After some negotiation I agreed to pay £75 + VAT, though the notice did not say "+ VAT". The notice also says "VAT number applied for" i.e they have no VAT number.

What can I do against this legalised extortion?

Asked on 14 January 2011 by RCJW

Answered by Honest John

The whole thing was probably illegal. Find out from the receiver who owns the shop and if the clamping gang were actually employed by them or by the receiver. If they weren't, this is cowboy clamping and if they have charged VAT without being registered then HMRC will take criminal action against them, assuming, of course, they can actually be traced.

Tags: parking fines parking clamping legal issues

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