Zenith Collections – Appeal Guide

So you have received a letter of demand from Zenith Collections regarding a PCN?  This page will explain your options in dealing with that letter from Zenith Collections

Who are Zenith Collections?

Zenith Collections is a trading name of “Debt Recovery Plus Ltd” which in turn is a debt collection agency. Debt Collection Agencies like to use many different names so that consumers get confused as to whom is chasing them.  Debt Recovery Plus also have a reputation in the industry of being toothless.  So to rid themselves of this reputation, Debt Recovery Plus Ltd simply use the trading name of Zenith Collections, and other trading names.

There are to types of debt collection agencies – those that purchase the debt of the creditor car park companies, and those that simply act as agent for the parking company.  Zenith Collections only ever acts as agent for parking charge notices, because they are not real debts – they are simply invoices.

What can Zenith Collections do?

Apart from trying to frighten you into paying, they can’t do anything else to you.

Can Zenith Collections affect my credit rating?

No one except the county court can put a black mark on your credit rating.  For a debt to affect your credit raing, the following sequence of events must firstly occure:

1. You must receive a Letter before County Court action (known as an LBCCC).

2. You must then receive the actual County Court Claim documents that have been stamped by the court.

3. You must then loose your case in court.

4. You must then refuse the pay the amount owed within 28 days of the court judgement.

Only now can your debt go on your credit report. Up until this point, you don’t have to worry about debt collection agencies such as Zenith Collections anything on your credit file.

Are Zenith Collections Bailiffs?

Debt collection agencies and bailiffs and  are two different things. Note that Zenith Collections are not bailiffs, they are a debt collection agency.  Bailiffs act on a court order from a court and possess more powers that debt collection agencies do.  In contrast, debt collection agencies have no powers whatsoever – they can only send you letters, ring you up or appear on your door and ask to speak to you.  If someone from Zenith Collections appears on your door step (this is rare for parking charge notices) then you don’t have to answer and don’t have to talk to them, they cannot enter your house unless you invite them to, and they cannot take any belongings from your house.

You options with the Zenith Collections demand

1. Your first option, is to pay the amount they are demanding for the parking company.  However, because you have come to this website, I gather you don’t want to do that.

2. You second option, is to appeal to the parking company itself.  Don’t bother appealing to Zenith Collections, as they don’t have the power to withdraw your fine – only the parking company can do that.  Zenith Collections only get your commission if you pay the demand, so they are not likely to respond favourably to any requests from you to have the matter cancelled.

3. A 3rd option is to go back to the retailer at the car park where the Parking Charge Notice was first issued and get them to understand you are  a regular shopper (irrespective of whether you are or not) and ask them to contact the car park company on your behalf to have the charge notice withdrawn.  This option is very underestimated, but very powerful.  Note if it was an airport or railway station, this is not a viable option.

4.  The last option you have is to ignore the letter from Zenith Collections and wait and see if the Parking Company sends you a pre-court letter called a “letter before county court claim” (LBCCC).  If you do receive such an LBCCC, then you can think seriously about paying it then (or alternatively you can defend the matter in court if it comes to that).

The best option is usually a combination of options two to four.  Get your appeal into the parking company, and whilst your appeal is being considered by the parking company, talk to the retailer or landowner where you were parked.  And then whilst you are doing this, just ignore the letters from Zenith Collections.  If your appeal to the parking company is denied, then you may consider either paying or out waiting them.

Which car park companies use Zenith Collections?

- Euro Car Parks
- Vehicle Control Services
- Parking Eye
- Smart Parking
- Excel Parking Services

Will the debt increase?

Zenith Collections have been know to send you letters demanding even higher amounts.  They do this purely to scare you into paying now.  However, as well as costs going up, costs can just as easily come down.  See this letter http://unassailablefortress.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/parking-charge-notice-should-you-pay.html where Debt Recovery Plus are offering a driver a reduced settlement.

DRP and Zenith

Just to destroy any remaining doubt that Zenith Collections is legit, compare the signature of James Wilikns on this demand from Zenith Collections with the signature of Claire Robinson on this demand from DRP.

Zenith and Wright Hassall?

You may get a letter from Wright Hassall.  However, unless it is a “Letter Before Action” in which they state that they will commencing legal proceedings, then  you can just ignore Wright Hassall.