Parking Ticket Failure?

[ptrd]

The other day I got a letter from some law firm stating the City of Ft. Worth wants to collect on a 5 year old parking ticket.

The only problem is it has my name but not the correct license plate or even make / model of car. I have a very common name so I am pretty sure they got the wrong guy as I can count the number of times I've been to Ft Worth in the past 10 years of being in the DFW metroplex.

I called the law firm and basically now I have to dispute it. Now I actually have to spend money to get some sort of record stating I've never owned or titled this car? Where would I get this?

Can't I just call up Ft Worth and just say "hey idiots, you got the wrong peter as I've never owned that car, why don't you freaking pull your head out of your butt and cross check your facts.."

What should I do?

[Brains]

Definitely worth a call. Just be cordial, and let 'em know they have the wrong guy. Hopefully they don't give you too much of a fight.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Do the jedi mind trick "This is not the Peter you are looking for"?

Sounds like it's going to be a bit of pain no matter what, I don't know if social security #s can be attached with someone owning a car, but that might be a way to prove they've got the wrong person.

If you have any attorney friends, maybe get a semi-official letter sent out. My brother had to do that about a ticket he got over 10 years ago (which he's sure he paid, he was still living with the rents at the time) that the El Paso PD was trying to collect on. It got let go even though any proof that he paid it has been long gone. Maybe also check if there's a time limit for when they can collect, it might be dismissed on that alone.

Good luck, fortunately I haven't had to deal with anything like this, yet.

[donlfaulkner]

I would think the burden of proof should be on them. Back in the days of Danny L. Faulkner and the savings & loan and land flips on I30, I went through a lot of frustration with and harrassment from lawers and their "fishing expeditions" for several years. All because we shared the same initials and last name. Hope you can get this resolved soon. Because of this, I do not have a great deal of trust in the law profession.

[Jusselin]

Originally Posted by ptrd

The other day I got a letter from some law firm stating the City of Ft. Worth wants to collect on a 5 year old parking ticket.

The only problem is it has my name but not the correct license plate or even make / model of car. I have a very common name so I am pretty sure they got the wrong guy as I can count the number of times I've been to Ft Worth in the past 10 years of being in the DFW metroplex.

I called the law firm and basically now I have to dispute it. Now I actually have to spend money to get some sort of record stating I've never owned or titled this car? Where would I get this?

Can't I just call up Ft Worth and just say "hey idiots, you got the wrong peter as I've never owned that car, why don't you freaking pull your head out of your butt and cross check your facts.."

What should I do?

im going to tell you this, as a man who has experience with these sort of "collectors" (and that is all they are) that number one you can simply ask them for a fax number and fax over a written statement of what you just explained to us. Number two ask them to remove your name from their "call list" and number three never worry about it again. I can assure you that it will not count against your credit as it was not you and you can prove it if you have to, and no legal actions will be taken they just want money. Simply deny them and fax the statement and you are taken care of. Of course document everything as well.

[dbphotos]

They are simply acting as a collection agency. Don't let the fact that they are a law firm sway you. Unless you get a subpoena you shouldn't need to appear anywhere to deal with it. They still have the bruden of proof. I would simply call them, tell them what you said and tell them you want them to stop contacting you. Make a note of date, time and who you spoke with and keep it with the letter you recevied in case it pops up again. After that don't worry about it.

(My non-attorney, free, advice.)

[Jusselin]

Originally Posted by dbphotos

They are simply acting as a collection agency. Don't let the fact that they are a law firm sway you. Unless you get a subpoena you shouldn't need to appear anywhere to deal with it. They still have the bruden of proof. I would simply call them, tell them what you said and tell them you want them to stop contacting you. Make a note of date, time and who you spoke with and keep it with the letter you recevied in case it pops up again. After that don't worry about it.

(My non-attorney, free, advice.)

could not agree more, sounds almost exactly like what i said lol

[CaptainTom]

I agree with Jusselin and David.
I'm just trying to pad my thread count...

[donlfaulkner]

I agree with what has been said. Keep really good records. I still have a 2-3 inch thick file from my episode.

[kamekaze]

If they have this on your credit score as a collection you need to send them a certified letter asking to remove it and to pay for deletion also.

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by Jusselin

could not agree more, sounds almost exactly like what i said lol

Great (or simple) minds think alike!

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I agree with Jusselin and David.
I'm just trying to pad my thread count...

Padding what?

[Tim-in-TX]

Sounds a little fishy to me. If it is a city parking ticket, then I am pretty sure that they do not use collection agencies, much less a law office, they just issue a low level warrant...that is, the warrant just sits there until you are pulled over for something, then it will pop up, you won't get arrested, but you will be told by the officer to "go take care of it".

Like I said, this sounds quite fishy. I would contact parking enforcement for Ft. Worth before doing ANYTHING else. This is directly from their web site:

"If you have received a delinquent notice and you feel there is an error, please submit a written statement and mail the statement with the delinquent notice, or you can call (817) 392-6700 for assistance. Please note: When delinquent parking citation notices are sent out, the parking office experiences high call volume."

Here is the link to their page with plently more info:
fortworthgov.org/municipalcourt

[ptrd]

Thanks guys, I did some internet searching and these guys seem to have the scam down.

I am going to fax a statement and not worry about it. I guess it's a good time to check my credit as I havne't in probably a year.

thanks again TPF

[ronocnikral]

the dude