Call Sign August 2011
Page 5
AFTER THE CRB LOSSES...
Now it's papers being returned to the wrong drivers!
Last month's Call Sign exclusively
documents through the post in addition to
revealed about the lost Criminal Record
my own! I also got the other driver's
Bureau disclosure forms that seemingly
cheque for the total amount he had to
vanished on route between the new
pay. TfL told me they would check their
London Taxi & Private Hire offices at
records and eventually informed me that
Palestra on Blackfriars Road and CRB's
the driver had not sent in his forms yet,
HQ in Liverpool. LTPH blamed the Post
adding that he wasn't a black cab driver
Office delivery service.
but in fact a private hire driver as though
Our story told of Dial-a-Cab driver
that would have made up for some shock-
Marc Turner (R97) who after filling in
ing incompetence if true. But I explained
the necessary forms needed to satisfy the
that I could see he was a black cab driver
CRB, was told that his form had been lost
because I had all his documents!
and that he would either need to go back
"The-then helpful operator embarrass-
to Palestra for an interview or fill in a new
ingly asked if I would mind returning the
form with all the attachments that needs
documents back as soon as possible! So
although he was then told that they
it's not all down to the Post Office or
would accept photocopies this time!
even the bank. They all lie when it comes
Marc was told that LTPH blamed the
to covering up incompetence."
Post Office for the loss and it did seem
Over the years, Call Sign has seen
that might be the case. Either way, Marc
many warnings about forged taxi driver
told us that he had been impressed with
documents being used by those not enti-
the way Palestra had held their hands up
tled to them, so had the forms not been
and told him the truth. But now another
sent to Steve but instead returned to a PH
The Palestrsa building - LTPH have offices on
DaC driver, Steve Hodgson (H26), has
driver whose interest in the trade was just
the 4th floor
told Call Sign of further problems for
a passing phase, the opportunities to put
happy to pay the demand if it came back even more forgeries into circulation would
which he blames LTPH / TfL and their
attempt to somewhat dilute the truth. again!"
have had a high chance of success. Some
But the bank's lie to him wasn't Steve's would ask whether it was even worse to let
Ironically, Steve now in his fourth year
with DaC - used to share a call back table biggest gripe. He continued his story... someone else see all your personal details -
with Marc Turner at Beejays Knowledge "I phoned TfL to explain the reason for the including financial ones! With the country
School, although he hasn't seen him for non-payment and they were very under- in so much financial insecurity, even one
standing and helpful. But there was one mistake like this is one too many. LTPH /
around twenty years!
Steve told Call Sign: "My cab driver thing they couldn't explain - why I had also TfL need to make sure incidents such as this
licence was due for renewal in June and received another cab driver's completed do not occur again...
after getting all the relevant information,
filling in my CRB and sending it off to TfL,
I received an automated call from my bank
THE SALIERI RESTAURANT
asking if I was aware of the payment and
asking permission to pay the amount,
which I gave. Five days later, all my forms
376 Strand, WC2
were returned from TfL with a note stating
that my bank had referred the cheque back
to me. But when I phoned the bank, they
We Invite Dial-a-Cab drivers and their guests to our
denied TfL had made a request for the pay-
restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine
ment. When I said I had received the call
seeking permission to make the payment,
And as a thank-you for helping our clients come
they suddenly backtracked and said the
and go over the years, we are happy to be able to
payment request had been placed in the
offer you a genuine 25% discount on your bill
possible fraud file, but that they would be
We are certain that you will be delighted
Call Sign
August 2011
Editor: Alan Fisher
Address: 39 47 East Rd, London N1 6AH
Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293
Email: callsignmag@aol.com
Website: www.dac-callsign.co.uk
Printers: Premier Print Group
25 31 Violet Rd, London E3
Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID
Design: Aldan Publications
Tel: 07958 300 428
Salieri Restaurant
Email: dfdannyfresco@gmail.com
376 Strand, WC2
Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must
not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or
Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced
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either manually or electronically without the express
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