DRIVERS have complained about a private parking company that has been misleading consumers with confusing signage.
The parking company scared drivers into thinking they would face harsh consequences following a citation.
GettyUnified Parking Partners was charged with misleading drivers using unfair ticketing practices[/caption] The private parking company agreed to pay $150,000 in a settlementThe parking company, Unified Parking Partners, paid a lofty fine after the Vermont attorney general found it was using unfair ticketing practices, as reported by VTDigger.
The New England parking company has over 24 private lots across the Burlington area.
An investigation by the attorney general’s office concluded that the company violated the Vermont Consumer Protection Act, which protects consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices.
It provides remedies for consumers who are harmed by deceptive or unfair practices, including actual damages, reasonable attorney fees, and exemplary damages (up to three times the value of the consideration given).
UPP was charged with putting up misleading signage that led drivers and consumers to think the private company was a government authority.
Essentially, drivers were tricked into paying their parking tickets.
The company also issued notices that would mischaracterize the penalties for not paying a fine.
UPP suggested that not paying a parking ticket could impact a driver’s credit rating, vehicle registration, license renewal, or a consumer’s ability to rent a car in the future.
In the settlement, the attorney general clarified that Unified Parking Partner does not have that authority.
The act also allows consumers to seek equitable relief, which is a remedy that addresses the specific circumstances of a case, such as an order to return goods or pay a refund.
Unified Parking Partners agreed to pay $150,000, according to Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark’s office.
“Companies have a right to charge for services rendered, but not to trick consumers into paying out of fear that disputing a charge could come with consequences the company has no power to impose,” said Attorney General Clark.
“The message to commercial actors is that words matter and misrepresentations carry consequences. I’m pleased that this company has agreed to stop its misrepresentations.”
UPP is not allowed to use the terms “citation” or “fine,” according to the settlement.
How to spot a fake parking ticket
Thieves sometimes go to great lengths to squeeze money from drivers
With parking ticket scams on the rise, it’s important to know how to tell the difference between a bogus ticket and a legitimate one.
Many parking enforcement agencies, like those employed by cities, will never ask people to pay for their tickets via apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle.
A QR code should always make drivers cautious, as many times they lead to fake payment websites built by scammers to access banking or personal information.
It’s also wise to pay close attention to logos, as some scammers will even use fake logos close enough to a city’s official logo fooling those who don’t look closely.
Emails or text messages regarding parking citations should always be ignored, as most parking enforcement agencies will never use those mediums to collect a debt.
Other helpful tips for spotting false citations:
Do some research on the lot you’re parking in, as signs are legally required to be posted to inform drivers on who is enforcing parking rules. Carefully examine the citation for any flaws – misspellings, incorrect logos, links, QR codes, etc. Evaluate the contact information on the ticket. Websites that belong to cities will always end in either .gov. Finally, pay with a card, as disputing an illegal charge is easier. Avoid mailing checks or cash to a suspect parking ticket. Look at a city’s ticketing database to double-check that you’ve been cited by an official.Source: CBS affiliate WHNT
That way, the UPP cannot imply that drivers who neglect a parking notice will face subsequent consequences because they don’t have the authority to issue such penalties.
In the settlement, the attorney general clarified that Unified Parking Partners is a “private commercial entity with no governmental authority.”
The settlement will be enforced through an Assurance of Discontinuance, a formal agreement between a company that’s being investigated by the state’s Attorney General and the Attorney General’s office.
UPP plans to pay the agreed-upon fine by June 20, 2025.
Drivers can dispute charges with the company by emailing support@uppglobal.com or calling 207-747-4230 with proof of payment.
UPP’s spokesperson, Bev Drivin, told VTDigger, “UPP is committed to complying with all applicable local laws and regulations. All practices, policies, signage, and enforcement notices are fully compliant with applicable laws.”
Unified Parking Partners did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Drivers fume over unfair parking tickets after a dozen ‘illegal’ lots pop up – ‘sign trick’ forced them into hefty fines )
Also on site :