Parking enforcement company are threatening me with debt collection - what should I do?

I recently challenged a parking fine by writing to the enforcement company offering £10 to cover the fee, plus admin. This was returned with a letter that did not seem relevant to my circumstances so I resent back the £10 with a covering letter. Next I received a threat of bailiffs and now, many months after the last letter I sent, I have received a demand from a debt collection organisation who say they have been instructed by Civil Enforcement Ltd to recover the parking charge, which is now £355. What should I do?

Asked on 21 July 2012 by CB, via email

Answered by Honest John
Tell them you do not own anyone £355 unless they have a court judgement against you for it, and they cannot have that without you having been summoned to court. In fact, Ministry of Justice figures show that out of 1,800,000 contractual penalty notices issued, private parking enforcers only summon 845 people a year to court, only 49 cases a year ever go to court and only 24 judgements a year are made in favour of the claimants.
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