Dear forum,

If someone can help me out, I would be most
appreciative.

I received this rather unfair PCN recently. What
happened is that since I do not have a smartphone I
could not pay by App, rather I called the number which
allows one to pay by phone. I received a text message
asking me to provide my number plate – which I
promptly did. I thus put my phone in my pocket confident
that I had successfully paid the parking charge.
To my shock 34 days after the date of this incident, I
received a PCN alleging that the parking charge was not
paid. Apparently, my attempt to pay by phone had not
been successfully completed, I couldn’t find the money
taken from my bank, however this was due to no
negligence of my own.

I therefore appealed this fine, by a. stating that THE
DRIVER had attempted to pay and I provided a
screenshot of the text and the response of the VRM, and
b. that I am not legally obliged to identify the driver,
since 14 have elapsed since the alleged contravention.

I just received this lovely response to my appeal;
Thank you for your appeal against the above Parking
Charge. We note your position that payment was
attempted over the phone and that you received a text
message requesting the vehicle registration number,
which you promptly provided. We have also noted your
comments regarding the timing of the Parking Charge
and your position that you are appealing as the
registered keeper.
In order to make a decision on your appeal, we require
further information. Our records show that your vehicle
did not have a valid parking session recorded on
31/07/2026, which resulted in the Parking Charge being
issued. As you have stated that payment was made by
telephone, please provide evidence confirming that the
parking payment was successfully completed. This
should show, where possible, the date and time of
payment, vehicle registration number (VRM), location
and amount paid. The text message confirming that you
were asked to provide the VRM does not, by itself,
confirm that a successful parking payment was
completed.
If you believe the vehicle was authorised to park without
payment, please instead provide valid evidence of
authorisation, such as a permit or confirmation from the
relevant site. Once we receive the requested evidence,
we will review the information provided and reconsider
your appeal.

They are requesting me to provide evidence which is
impossible – since the payment did not complete, due to
their fault, and they ignored my claim that I do not need
to identify the driver.

What is the best way to respond to these goons and get
them off my back??

Thank you very much!