Mailed parking citation class action lawsuit investigation

Deceptive parking tickets: Who’s affected?

Did you receive a parking ticket in the mail from Metropolis, Professional Parking Management, or McKinley Payments for a parking violation? You may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit investigation into allegedly deceptive practices. 

Parking garages across the country have started using digital parking enforcement practices that include unattended parking lots, camera surveillance, and digital payments via an app. 

While this may be convenient for some drivers, it poses an issue for others who have received bogus parking citations in the mail for violations they did not commit. For example, being charged for entering and exiting the parking garage without parking, or for not being notified properly of the app payment system. 

These parking enforcement practices may violate laws designed to protect consumers and ensure fair business practices.

The problem with digital parking garage enforcement

Companies like Metropolis, Professional Parking Management and McKinley Payments manage parking garages in an unconventional manner:

• Open gates with no attendant: The garages are left open without people attending the exits.
• Payment via app: Signs instruct drivers to pay for parking through an app.
• Camera surveillance: Cameras capture vehicles entering and leaving the garage.
• Violation notices: If you drive away without paying via the app, the companies look up your vehicle registration and mail you a “violation notice” or similar penalty.

This practice is not only unusual but potentially unfair and illegal for several reasons, including:

1. Lack of consent: By leaving gates open and unattended, there is no clear consent from drivers agreeing to the terms and conditions of payment.
2. Inadequate notification: Signs may not provide sufficient or clear information regarding the requirement to pay via the app, leading to confusion and unintentional violations.
3. Violation of privacy: Accessing vehicle registration information to mail violation notices may constitute an invasion of privacy and misuse of personal information.
4. Unfair billing practices: Mailing violation notices without clear consent or notification may be considered an unfair and deceptive billing practice, which is illegal under federal and state consumer protection laws.

Motorists across the country have complained about these practices to the Better Business Bureau and state Attorneys General’s offices. Last year, for example, more than 66 complaints were received in Tennessee alone over unfair Metropolis parking tickets. 

Here’s an example of what these parking tickets may look like.

Join a mailed parking citation class action lawsuit investigation

You may qualify to join this class action lawsuit investigation if you have:

1. Received a mailed parking violation notice from Metropolis, Professional Parking Management, or McKinley Payments.
2. Parked in a garage operated by these companies where the gates were open and unattended.
3. Not been clearly informed about the requirement to pay via an app before receiving the violation notice.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.