Lude Generation

Had a letter out of the blue from a company called ANPR stating that my Vectra was parked illegally in Birmingham on 25th June, and demanding £100.

Firstly, I have never been to that part of Birmingham, and secondly I can prove I was in Gloucestershire all day that day.

The worrying thing is that has my car been cloned? The letter has all the correct details - make, model, colour etc, which presumably they got from DVLA.

Or is the whole thing a scam?

Sounds like a scam to me. I'd ask for some proof though due to the possibility of your car being cloned as you suggest.

They claim they have photographic evidence, so I will call their bluff and get them to prove it.

See what happens, they can't fine you in anycase, only the govt can progress 'illegal' parking, anything else is a civil matter, requiring proof of loss of income.

Have they provided you with an address to send a cheque to?

you'll get a phone call about it next....

Also seems a bit dodgy to name your company after the official Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.

Is it the council? They are the only ones who can actually fine you, I've had literally hundreds of £'s in fines from private companies and I've never been taken to court and some of them had a picture of my car with my reg. They will keep sending you threatening letters with big red writing saying they will take you to court etc. and they will keep ringing your phone off an unknown number, just keep ignoring the letters and don't answer the phone calls and they will eventually leave you alone, trust me

There is a PO Box in Preston and also the ability to pay over the phone or online. Having googled it, the company seems kosher, I'm more worried that my car has been cloned.

Read this http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/article ... te-parking ANPR get a mention..