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       #Post#: 7141--------------------------------------------------
       BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: BuzzingBee
       Date: October 10, 2023, 4:24 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Hi All
       This is my first post after just joining so please pardon any
       mistakes on my behalf. I came across this page while looking for
       help. I will try and keep it short.
       I am a disabled veteran with a blue badge. As of August I
       misplaced my blue badge and reported it lost. I found my old
       badge and used it but unbeknownst to me it had been cancelled.
       The car I am driving is registered in my cousins name but I am
       insured to drive it. The Internal Audit And Anti Fraud team of
       Another council has now issued me a PCN and also sent my cousin
       a NOTICE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION stating "contravention of
       section 117. He is asked to provide information of driver and
       any other information identifying driver.
       A crucial information is I live at two addresses. My old address
       which I still receive Mail at and have family there is the
       council that issued my blue badge (Oxfordshire). My new address
       anti fraud team is the council that has issued me the PCN and
       the letter (Greenwich). Even though this is an honest mistake
       should I be worried and what advise would you give me on how to
       proceed. I have also attached the letter sent to my cousin who
       is the registered keeper. Thank you.
       [attachment deleted by admin]
       #Post#: 7145--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: DancingDad
       Date: October 10, 2023, 4:43 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Please confirm that you are still entitled to a Blue Badge?
       Was a new one issued when you reported the old one lost?
       Your cousin.... the letter has to be replied to unless he wants
       to end up facing a summons to court.
       He should provide your name and address (whichever is best for
       you)
       They are investigating Blue Badge abuse (S117 RTRA 1984) which
       given the use of a cancelled badge is understandable.
       Assuming that you are still entitled and it was a simple error,
       I would expect no more then an interview and a borrocking.
       Your PCN..... by the sounds of it bang to rights in using a
       cancelled BB but an apologetic challenge with a copy of your
       legitimate badge?? and explanation that it was a simple error
       and why may get it cancelled.
       If you can post the PCN we can also look if any errors
       #Post#: 7149--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: BuzzingBee
       Date: October 10, 2023, 5:16 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: DancingDad link ---
       >
       > Please confirm that you are still entitled to a Blue Badge?
       > Was a new one issued when you reported the old one lost?
       >
       > Your cousin.... the letter has to be replied to unless he
       wants to end up facing a summons to court.
       > He should provide your name and address (whichever is best for
       you)
       > They are investigating Blue Badge abuse (S117 RTRA 1984) which
       given the use of a cancelled badge is understandable.
       > Assuming that you are still entitled and it was a simple
       error, I would expect no more then an interview and a
       borrocking.
       >
       > Your PCN..... by the sounds of it bang to rights in using a
       cancelled BB but an apologetic challenge with a copy of your
       legitimate badge?? and explanation that it was a simple error
       and why may get it cancelled.
       > If you can post the PCN we can also look if any errors
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Thanks for the help.
       Yes I am still entitled to a blue badge. I receive the highest
       component of PIP mobility component and walk with a stick. When
       I applied for a new one I was not issued a new one. This was
       because on the day of payment the councils systems was down and
       they could not take the £10 payment after many tries. I found my
       old one within the same week and just forgot about it.
       My cousin will provide my details and my address and the next
       stages will be inviting me for an interview. I already sent a
       challenge for the PCN but after receiving this letter today I
       have just gone on to pay for it.
       [attachment deleted by admin]
       #Post#: 7150--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: fraser.mitchell
       Date: October 10, 2023, 5:46 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Well, if you've now paid, there is nothing more we can advise
       you on. Paying closes off the adjudication appeal option.
       #Post#: 7151--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: BuzzingBee
       Date: October 10, 2023, 5:52 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Incandescent link ---
       >
       > Well, if you've now paid, there is nothing more we can advise
       you on. Paying closes off the adjudication appeal option.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Paying closes the case? I don't get it. Aside the PCN I have
       also been asked to provide my details for using. the cancelled
       blue badge. To my knowledge they are two different cases.
       #Post#: 7199--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: Pastmybest
       Date: October 11, 2023, 11:50 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: BuzzingBee link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Incandescent link=topic=681.msg7150#msg7150
       date=1696977991]
       > Well, if you've now paid, there is nothing more we can advise
       you on. Paying closes off the adjudication appeal option.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Paying closes the case? I don't get it. Aside the PCN I have
       also been asked to provide my details for using. the cancelled
       blue badge. To my knowledge they are two different cases.
       [/quote]
       Two cases in effect. The civil one of using a BB that is not
       valid that is the PCN. Shame you paid coz it is almost certain
       that could have been overturned as it was not served properly.
       Then you have an investigation into a criminal matter. Fraud.
       You need deal with this. do not hide of try to blag it tell them
       what happened, they will have a record of you reporting the
       badge stolen/lost. Remember as of now the council do not know
       who was using the badge when the are given the information that
       it was you the person entitled to hold it, how they will look at
       things is likely to be very different
       #Post#: 7211--------------------------------------------------
       Reported my blue badge lost twice. Use 3 badges. 2 invalid and 1
       valid. 
   DIR By: mrsammyb
       Date: October 11, 2023, 2:00 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       So as the topic say I stupidly took advantage of my blue badge
       by reporting it lost 2 times to get 2 new ones and use all as I
       have 3 cars in my household and I can get free parking with it.
       I park all cars at the same area. Few days ago I went to my cars
       and the one with the old blue badge had a PCN on it. The anti
       fraud unit has written to me asking for details. The blue badge
       unit also sent me an email asking me if recieved my badge. I
       have not replied to either one. I’m panicking because I feel not
       only have they discovered the invalid one but maybe they have
       been able to connect the two present at the time of checks and
       just waiting to disclose it all to me when they get me in for an
       interview under caution. I do not want to make mistakes going
       forward so any advice would be helpful. (I am aware what I did
       was wrong & definitely not here to look for pity) I accept full
       responsibility and just looking for some understanding of how
       things are likely to proceed.
       #Post#: 7212--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: BuzzingBee
       Date: October 11, 2023, 2:04 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Pastmybest link ---
       >
       > [quote author=BuzzingBee link=topic=681.msg7151#msg7151
       date=1696978372]
       > [quote author=Incandescent link=topic=681.msg7150#msg7150
       date=1696977991]
       > Well, if you've now paid, there is nothing more we can advise
       you on. Paying closes off the adjudication appeal option.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Paying closes the case? I don't get it. Aside the PCN I have
       also been asked to provide my details for using. the cancelled
       blue badge. To my knowledge they are two different cases.
       [/quote]
       Two cases in effect. The civil one of using a BB that is not
       valid that is the PCN. Shame you paid coz it is almost certain
       that could have been overturned as it was not served properly.
       Then you have an investigation into a criminal matter. Fraud.
       You need deal with this. do not hide of try to blag it tell them
       what happened, they will have a record of you reporting the
       badge stolen/lost. Remember as of now the council do not know
       who was using the badge when the are given the information that
       it was you the person entitled to hold it, how they will look at
       things is likely to be very different
       [/quote]
       Thanks. I know you said not to ignore or hide BUT what would
       happen if I do. Will they end up convicting the vehicle
       keeper/owner who is my cousin or they will somehow link it to
       me. At the moment the letter is addressed to my cousin and I
       have not been mentioned at all as to their knowledge I have
       reported the badge lost.
       #Post#: 7214--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BLUE BADGE MISUSE (cancelled blue badge displayed)
   DIR By: DancingDad
       Date: October 11, 2023, 2:25 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: BuzzingBee link ---
       >
       > ................
       > Thanks. I know you said not to ignore or hide BUT what would
       happen if I do. Will they end up convicting the vehicle
       keeper/owner who is my cousin or they will somehow link it to
       me. At the moment the letter is addressed to my cousin and I
       have not been mentioned at all as to their knowledge I have
       reported the badge lost.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       If your cousin names you then you will be interviewed and as
       said, chances are it will end there.
       If your cousin doesn't name you, he will likely end up being
       interviewed.
       Refusal to answer can lead to court proceedings and a fine.
       If he persisted in it wasn't me but I am not saying who it was,
       potentially it could see a charge arising from misuse of the BB
       against him. Bear in mind you lost the BB, reported it and it
       has now been found being used in cousin's car...there may be no
       solid evidence but many if not most BB frauds are family members
       so they would be making the assumption and trying to make
       charges stick.
       If either of you were to lie and blame AN Other, this would be
       lying under oath and a charge of Perverting the Course of
       Justice could arise.
       Basically, tell the truth and all should be well, evade or lie
       and get really into the smelly stuff.
       #Post#: 7216--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Reported my blue badge lost twice. Use 3 badges. 2 invalid
       and 1 valid. 
   DIR By: DancingDad
       Date: October 11, 2023, 2:35 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Somehow I don't think you will get a lot of sympathy.
       What seemed like a good wheeze is now coming home to bite you.
       The PCN will cost, I'd suggest grabbing the discount unless you
       feel you can defend but in honesty, the only defence I can see
       is lying and I'm not about to suggest that.
       Similarly the anti fraud team will want to interview the driver,
       if the letter from them says what I think it does, it will say
       that it is an offence not to respond or to provide the
       information requested.
       I will also point out lying under oath can make a poor situation
       worse
       Potentially a criminal charge, fines can go up to £1000 IIRC and
       the BB team can withdraw your BB.
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