A Ticket I Didn't Get

[ButItWasntMe]

What is the name of your state? New York

About 2 weeks ago I received a ticket in the mail from NYC parking. At first I thought it was some type of fake junk mail, but then read more closely to see it is a real NYC parking ticket. It says I received a parking ticket in NYC for standing in a commercial zone. It has my license plate number and it says NJ is the state. But, there is no make, model, color or any other information. This ticket was issued in the middle of the week when I was at work...in NJ (where I live) with my car. On the ticket is states not to send it back if you believe it was an error, but to call the phone number listed on the ticket. Well, I've called the number about 5 times a day for the last 2 weeks. Each time it tells me that call volume is too high and hangs up on me. I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to dispute it and simply say that it wasn't me because I realize how lame that sounds, but it is true...I really want to make sure that this is dismissed because I don't feel I should have to pay something that I did not earn. I also cannot take a day off of work to drive to NYC to fight this.

Any advice? What is the proper way to word this defense? Does it matter that the make and model aren't on the ticket? How can I prove it wasn't my vehicle? I feel very frustrated right now. Thanks for any help!

[The Occultist]

The fact that there is no identifying information other than the plate number should add to the defense that the plate number was recorded incorrectly by the officer. Does the cite include a VIN? If so, provide that to them so they can run that number and see that a similar plate comes up. If you were at work, your place of employment should be able to further verify your location at the date/time of the infraction.

Keep calling'em.

[patstew]

Originally Posted by The Occultist

Keep calling'em.

I'll just add you should look for another way in -- there are about three ways to reach my office, for instance. Check the phone listings for another number that might work.

Additionally, if you know anyone who works for the city, they may be able to transfer you to the extension of a real live person who can help you. In the meantime, if it were me, I'd also write a letter stating that you've tried calling with no result (give dates and times if you have them) just to CYA.

--
Face your fears.
Live your dreams.

[ButItWasntMe]

Thank you for your responses. The ticket does not have a vin number. It just says plate # and state. Then there's a location and a time. Does this type of thing happen often or is this some type of scam by the person writing the ticket? I will start calling other numbers today.

[You Are Guilty]

Originally Posted by ButItWasntMe

Thank you for your responses. The ticket does not have a vin number. It just says plate # and state. Then there's a location and a time. Does this type of thing happen often or is this some type of scam by the person writing the ticket? I will start calling other numbers today.

I'd guess that most of these types of errors are innocent mistakes - people make typos/can't read handwriting/etc. However, there have been instances of blatantly false tickets being written:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2006/05/23/2006-05-23_cop_busted_in_bogus_tix_rap.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/2007/08/09/2007-08-09_agents_in_ticket_scam_are_back_on_the_st.html

Either way, "it wasn't me" is a perfectly valid defense and the PVB will recognize your proof and should dismiss the ticket relatively painlessly. Just keep calling

[ButItWasntMe]

So after calling all different numbers for the last 2 days and finally getting someone on the phone I was told that they will send me a copy of the ticket because the one that I got in the mail isn't actual a ticket copy...That I had no idea. Then he said to me, 'So what color is your car anyway?' and I said white. He said what kind of car is it, so I told him. And I said, wait - is what I just said listed on there because it is blank on what I received? He said, 'Well, something is so I will send you a copy of it. Have a nice day ma'am' and he hung up -- I'm co confused. What does that mean? Why isn't the information showing on this paper I received in the mail? And if my specific car's color and make is listed on the ticket...that's a huge problem since I was in the state of NJ (1 hour away from NY) with my car that entire day.

[The Occultist]

Wait for the new and improved ticket to arrive and see what it says.

[PrinceCharming]

Originally Posted by ButItWasntMe

So after calling all different numbers for the last 2 days and finally getting someone on the phone I was told that they will send me a copy of the ticket because the one that I got in the mail isn't actual a ticket copy...That I had no idea. Then he said to me, 'So what color is your car anyway?' and I said white. He said what kind of car is it, so I told him. And I said, wait - is what I just said listed on there because it is blank on what I received? He said, 'Well, something is so I will send you a copy of it. Have a nice day ma'am' and he hung up -- I'm co confused. What does that mean? Why isn't the information showing on this paper I received in the mail? And if my specific car's color and make is listed on the ticket...that's a huge problem since I was in the state of NJ (1 hour away from NY) with my car that entire day.

You can get a copy faster on-line

[url]http://nycserv.nyc.gov/NYCServInquiry/NYCSERVMain[/url]

[techman01]

Probably filling in those blanks on the ticket before he sends a copy to you : )