I have an issue with a parking facility in Covington, Ky. This was an open lot that you prepaid for and when you entered your spot, you also put in 3 numbers or letters from your license plate. We were late for an event right next door, paid with a credit card, stuffed the receipt in my pocket and we ran across the grass and street to the event. When we came out, there was a parking notice on our cars saying that because we did not put the receipt on the dash, we owed $38.00. I responded to their web site with comments about why the receipts were not on the dash, gave them all the numbers off them and asked them basically to forget it. I have talked to officials in Covington and Kenton County and they say there are no statutes or laws that authorize them to fine us and that they agreed this is a scam to get more money. We got notices from a law firm from Colorado saying they are a collection agency and they now want $78.00 for each vehicle. I responded to them within the "30" days they told me I had, told them the same info and asked them to cease and desist in this action. They responded by saying that it is too easy to create false documents as receipts, so we owe. They are threatening possible impounding of our vehicles and other legal action. I think this is a scam and that they have no legal standing here. Can you give me some direction please?
Optional Information: Country relating to Question: United StatesState (if USA): KentuckyWhat have you tried so far?: By the way, I live in Ohio but this happened in Kentucky. As I said, I tried their online resolution and sent an email (I can try to forward you my email and their response if you like) to the legal firm. I have my credit card statement that shows 2 $8 transactions to the parking facility in question on the date of the original action.
Thank you for the post, I am happy to assist you by answering your questions. Was there any posted notice in the lot when you entered requiring persons to place the receipts in the dash?
To be honest, I did not see any and neither did my daughter who also drove. As I said, we were late, so I asked the attendant on duty (who could not speak english) if their machine took credit cards. When I went to the machine, I found it did take credit cards. I did not see anything posted there but I only read the directions to pay as we were late. I stuffed the receipts in my pocket and we ran over to the event through the grass. I did find the notice on the receipts after I read them when we saw the "tickets" on our dash boards and the next day, we walked out the regular walkways from the lot and their were signs there that said to put them on the dash. As I said, I have already talked to folks from the city and county and they both said to forget about it. They also said they could not come find our vehicles and tow them or do anything else. I want to do what is right but I don't want to get ripped off when I can prove they got paid for the parking. They did not have an attendant on duty who could communicate anything in english, they did not have prominent signage stating what to do in my opinion.
Thank you Mike, it is true that they cannot impound or tow your vehicle, and in truth, because you have proof that you paid the sum then due (in the form of your receipt as well as credit card statement, I presume), there is little action they can actually successfully take against you. In fact, threatening action which they can actually take is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and you have grounds to report them to the FTC in turn.
Experience: Successful consumer advocate.
Thanks for your time and thoughts. They reinforce what I thought and I have some info on the "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act" that I'm going to share with them and see if that gets them off my hind end.