Drivers are used to CCTV and ANPR systems being used to track the number plates of cars that speed or parking illegally. But what happens if the number plate comes up with a name and address of a person who never owned the vehicle?
This is what has happened to mother of five, Stacy Barnes aged 30, from Barton Upon Humber. The first thing that she knew about this was when Hull City Council sent her a parking ticket for the Nissan Micra.
She had no idea what this was about and so told the council and even informed the DVLA, but instead of getting a sympathetic ear, the council wrote a letter informing her that they have passed the matter onto a debt collecting agency.
Mrs Barnes, who owns a Vauxhall Zafira, said: "It's like banging your head against a brick wall."
"I've done everything I can to try and get this sorted out."
"I've got to prove that a car I've never seen in my life is not mine. It should be up to them to prove it is mine."
"I'm starting to get really stressed about it now."
"My husband works away a lot so I'm here by myself with the children; the last thing I want is big guys turning up at my house."
"It should not be this complicated to prove it's got nothing to do with me."
A spokesman for Hull City Council said: "When issuing a parking charge notice (PCN) we relay on the owner information that is held by the DVLA to be up to date and correct so the notice goes to the right person."
"We would advise Mrs Barnes to contact the DVLA for the information to be updated, confirmation in writing of this happening will then be sent to her."
"We would then expect Mrs Barnes to submit a copy of this letter as mitigating circumstances to be considered along with her appeal against the PCN."
A spokesman said: "The DVLA takes the accuracy of its vehicle record seriously and we are very sympathetic when members of the public are inconvenienced in this way."
"I can confirm that the case is being investigated and DVLA will be contacting Mrs Barnes direct on this matter."
Sometimes the system could be wrong, but try telling them that!
Source [This is Scunthorpe]
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