General Chat

Lynne - Thanks for the information becx

Bec Apparently it is their normal practice to ask for cash to remove clamps. I had my car clamped once and I had to go to the bank and get the cash as I don't normally carry much on me. The clamper waited by my car until I came back with the money. Lynne

Glenys - TOTALLY agree! He's blatently not paying anything he should be, he INSISTED it be in cash! becx

Bec, I am intrigued, as he insisted cash was to be paid, as to whether this is being declared to HM Customs and Revenue (well alright, the tax office then! lol). I haven't read the replies yet, so if I've repeated what someone else has said - apologies. x

Thanks Stu, will give them a call! Yvette - it certainly soured the whole weekend!

Bec, can't give you any advice on this as i don't have a car either, just wanted to say sorry you had such a miserable time last night and i hope you get it sorted soon. Yvette

Are there signs up saying about clamping? If no signs up it`s against the law. There should also be signs up about the CCTV. Clamping and CCTV both require a license to operate. Any licence holder who collects a release fee must provide a receipt, which must include the following: 1. The location where the vehicle was clamped or towed. 2. Their own name and signature 3. Their licence number. 4. The date. Check with the Security Industry Authority (0870 2430 100) if you have a name and see if they are licensed. Also keep on at the police, don`t let them fob you off. Consult the CAB & Trading Standards. Also contact you local council, I know its on private property but they should be able to advise you as well. It all adds more to your case. Stu

Vivienne - He's tried but I reckon the Management company have caller ID and only answer whoever they want to! Sue - There is a plastic laminated sign (A4) inside that says you must have your permit in your car or you have to pay £80, no contact number etc. Have never paid attention to it as I do not own a car! xxx

Bec, the management company are employed by your landlord, he must be able to contact them surely. What do your neighbours make of this? Vivienne

Bec Have a look on the walls in the carpark/round the flats for a sign the states 'NO PARKING' or the car could be clamped. If there isn't a sign you need to contact Trading Standards/Watchdog as he is more than likely a COWBOY. On all paper work ie receipts/letters they are supposed to have a VAT number. If you are frightened about walking homeon your own carry a Normal comb in your pocket. Take care Bec. Sue

Thanks Joy It's probably not illegal but I'm not happy with CCTV cameras hidden around the site. becx

I would report it to the police, with your landlord accompanying you. There have been problems in the area where I work, and the police have records of bogus clampers. Take care, Bec. (Aunty) Joy

Vivienne - Neither I nor my landlord have been able to contact the management company on either of the numbers we have and yet 'Mr Clamper' claimed that they answered straightaway when he rang... Elaine - someone else suggested that! Will try Trading Standards too, The main problem is that I am genuinely scared now (anyone who knows me knows that I do not scare easily!). Had to be walked home to my door last night but I'm independent and need to be able to walk home at night alone without worrying about him and his 'boys'.

Try contacting watchdog ! see what they have to say on the matter E x

Thanks Little Ray He claimed to have the licence required (I've checked online so I know what he's supposed to have). I've looked for his clamping company and it's not registered on Companies House so I reckon he's probably not paying VAT or NI. He wouldn't give me the office address and there is no VAT number or registered business number on his receipt (do you have to have these on stationary?) becx

That's a bit disconcerting Bec, have you or your landlord tried speaking to the management company? Vivienne

Bec I remember hearing something about this on the news recently..... due to the amount of Bogus clampers around these days the clamping companies have to apply for a licence to clamp cars legally and should also carry ID with them. I'm also pretty sure that the clamping company also have to display signs around the clamping area so that people know what may be about to happen to them (Please tell me if i'm wrong on that one someone) I'd certainly go to the CAB and get some advice c x

Hello Vivienne I rang Essex Police and they were about as much use as a poke in the eye! becx

Hi Bec, This doesn't sound right to me, I think you should speak to the police, as well as the CAB. Vivienne

Ann - he didn't directly harrass me as such but there was something about him that has genuinely scared me. He claimed he sometimes has some of his 'boys' sat in the carpark all night which makes me feel very uncomfortable and I'm not happy about the CCTV cameras that we're not about to know about. My landlord OWNS the flat, surely he should have the right to know where these cameras are? There is an address on the receipt BUT the receipt has the Management company's letterhead (a very poor, cheap made at home job!) on it, he's then handwritten the name of the clamping company.