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#Post#: 106855--------------------------------------------------
Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: gumph69
Date: January 21, 2026, 2:36 pm
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I parked in a pay-by-phone bay. It is not something that I can
recall ever doing. I (or my young son) had, seemingly,
downloaded the app at some point in the past, I was surprised to
discover. When I tried to login, I could not remember the
password as I had never used it or, at least, I don't recall
ever downloading the app and setting up an account
The computer did not help by not stating the parameters of the
password and it took some time to request one
I have found 3 calls to the pay number between 12:47-12.51 in an
attempt to enter the account and book 2 hours parking. I thought
I had achieved that and was shocked to find the PCN when I
returned to my car around 14.40h.
I cannot find any confirm from the app but, not being familiar
with it, had no reason to expect one. In addition, I was in the
cinema and my phone was switched off
It seems that my payment did not go through. It could have been
that there was an expired card associated with the app. I don't
know how that works. I entered my current card but it does not
seem to have been recognised
I do not know what to do at this point but it seems harsh. The 3
calls show that I was trying
#Post#: 106860--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: January 21, 2026, 3:06 pm
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Post the PCN.
#Post#: 106861--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: gumph69
Date: January 21, 2026, 3:07 pm
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I parked in a pay-by-phone bay. It is not something that I can
recall ever doing. I (or my young son) had, seemingly,
downloaded the app at some point in the past, I was surprised to
discover. When I tried to login, I could not remember the
password as I had never used it or, at least, I don't recall
ever downloading the app and setting up an account
The computer did not help by not stating the parameters of the
password and it took some time to request one
I have found 3 calls to the pay number between 12:47-12.51 in an
attempt to enter the account and book 2 hours parking. I thought
I had achieved that and was shocked to find the PCN when I
returned to my car around 14.40h.
I cannot find any confirm from the app but, not being familiar
with it, had no reason to expect one. In addition, I was in the
cinema and my phone was switched off
It seems that my payment did not go through. It could have been
that there was an expired card associated with the app. I don't
know how that works. I entered my current card but it does not
seem to have been recognised
I do not know what to do at this point but it seems harsh. The 3
calls show that I was trying
HTML https://imgpile.com/p/0oXIC7l
#Post#: 106874--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: January 21, 2026, 4:02 pm
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If you're intending to challenge the PCN, then it will support
your case if you can print-off and attach copies of the entries
you made on the parking app. To be frank, it is very unlikely
the council will accept any representations you submit because
they know that if they do this, >95% of people then just
cough-up. We do, though, encourage people to submit them,
because sometimes the council reply is unacceptable in law, (i.e
they shoot themselves in the foot).
There may also be a 'technical' defence, unrelated to the
alleged contravention, based on council mismanagement of the
enforcement process, so wait a bit to see what may be suggested.
#Post#: 106876--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: gumph69
Date: January 21, 2026, 4:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Thank you. I will do what I can
However, I never got to an visual phone app. It was all voice
commands, and field entries on my phone which why it was
difficult (fat fingers didn't help). The only thing I have is my
call history. I'm am not sure how to copy that so it can be
posted
#Post#: 106882--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: January 21, 2026, 4:44 pm
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I think you'll struggle to get this overturned unless there was
a fault with PayByPhone, which is the provider that Lambeth
uses.
HTML https://i.ibb.co/fY3wr3x0/l2.jpg
HTML https://i.ibb.co/1BfVvTW/l1.jpg
HTML https://i.ibb.co/xtrSS12b/l3.jpg
#Post#: 107160--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: gumph69
Date: January 23, 2026, 4:26 pm
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Pay-by-phone seems to be a huge international company. The best
I could do was to send them an email. Trying to sort it with
them seems nigh on impossible. And I can hardly defend myself
without their help
Might it matter that the PCN does not mention the specific bay,
each which have a unique identifier, it seems
Also, P-by-p seems to be app-based. I was not aware of this and
did not have it nor was it recommended that I install it to book
the parking. In addition, there was no message that the payment
had failed. Yes, I'm grasping here
Thanks
#Post#: 109840--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: gumph69
Date: February 14, 2026, 3:49 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I contacted Pay-by-Phone over 2 weeks ago. They
auto-acknowledged my request but have not replied since. I had
to submit my appeal to Lambeth, therefore, without this input.
Only they can hope to explain what happened with my payment
attempt
#Post#: 112966--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: gumph69
Date: March 12, 2026, 7:01 am
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I recd the following from Lambeth Parking on 26/1:
Thank you for submitting your challenge/representation to PCN
reference: LJ37412136. A copy of your submission is attached for
your records.
Your case will be placed on hold and will not progress in
accordance with our procedure.
Your challenge/representation will be considered and a response
will be sent to you.
Please allow up to 28 days for a response to be provided.
Please do not reply to this email address. This is an
unmonitored mailbox
Yours sincerely
Environment Services,
London Borough of Lambeth
I contacted PayByPhone around the same time. They replied 1 Feb.
They state that their records do not show any valid parking
session paid for. They did not explain why my attempt to pay did
not register on their system
I wonder, as Lambeth is taking an inordinate amount of time to
deny my representations, if I should let it lie or submit the
additional evidence below. Or, perhaps, contact PayByPhone again
with my records and see if they can come up with a more
thorough, helpful explanation of why my attempted payment failed
I have located a record of my attempts to pay the parking on the
day in question
I recd the following from Lambeth Parking on 26/1:
Thank you for submitting your challenge/representation to PCN
reference: LJ37412136. A copy of your submission is attached for
your records.
Your case will be placed on hold and will not progress in
accordance with our procedure.
Your challenge/representation will be considered and a response
will be sent to you.
Please allow up to 28 days for a response to be provided.
Please do not reply to this email address. This is an
unmonitored mailbox
Yours sincerely
Environment Services,
London Borough of Lambeth
I contacted PayByPhone around the same time. They replied 1 Feb.
They state that their records do not show any valid parking
session paid for. They did not explain why my attempt to pay did
not register on their system
I have located a record of my attempts to pay the parking on the
day in question
HTML https://ibb.co/5g1cMCL1
#Post#: 116498--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay-by-phone app failure
DIR By: gumph69
Date: April 20, 2026, 1:47 pm
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I have received a rejection (link attached) today from Lambeth
which, of course, is not a surprise
I have tried to contact Pay-by-Phone several times but they
simply ghost me.
I sent them the phone records of my attempts to pay the parking,
as I did to Lambeth. I cannot prove my case without their
involvement
I would imagine that, in the absense of a reply from PbP, it is
not prudent to challenge this further
Thank you for your assistance
HTML https://ibb.co/rKLsJxSZ
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