Central Parking complaints in city garages?
Reader Laura is wondering if anyone else has had problems parking in city garages run by Central Parking?
I used to use a parking garage in Baltimore City run by Central Parking. For convenience sake (because I never carry cash), I used one of the garages that accepts credit cards. Only used it once in a while because I telecommute.
Then, months ago, I stopped altogether because of the price of gas. I take the light rail.
Two weeks ago, as I prepared to go on vacation, I checked my bank account. Central Parking Baltimore had hit my acount 5 times, all in one day, the day before. I called to dispute the charges with the bank. The original Customer Service person was so dumb she said, "Well, you must have parked there, I see you used your card in between trips to the garage."
First of all, who would make five trips in and out of a city garage at 9 bucks a pop each time? Secondly, I asked her, did you get the part about the garage being in Baltimore and those 'in-between' charges I actually made at the grocery store, etc., being in Annapolis? The next rep was a little brighter, saw the disparities and disputed the charges.
But those of you who use Central Parking, beware. They apparently store your credit card info. I can only guess that a worker figured out a scam to charge my card a number of times and 'refund' cash to themselves.
You gotta watch. all the time....
Excellent point, Laura. Anyone else notice shenanigans with city garage parking?
Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:14 PM | Permalink
| Comments (1)
Categories: Cars, Complaints, Technology
Categories: Cars, Complaints, Technology
Comments
I recently moved back to the city of Baltimore. I have several concerns in reference to my parking citations. Beginning in November of 2007, my car was stolen by my ex-boyfriend on numerous occasions causing me to have red light and parking violations. I have recently incurred about 4 tickets that are less than 30 days past due.
Due to my violations I am unable to renew my tags, which means that I can not drive my car. Many Americans today are facing tremendous hardships and the City of Baltimore makes it difficult for average people to survive as well.
I was out of work for almost six months and I am now working 50 plus hours a week, while attending school in order to catch up on bills and to make a better life for myself.
I currently have almost six hundred dollars in parking or traffic violations that I did not commit. I would like to request a payment plan or something so that I can at least drive my car and stop getting tickets for my expired tags. I am a tax paying citizen who is furious with the city of Baltimore for ripping off average American citizens.
Sylvia, did you file a police report when your car was stolen? If so, you should contact the agency charging the fines, and those tickets will be removed from your record. In Baltimore, it's the Finance Department, at 410-396-4080. I called and was told the city does *not* offer any kind of payment plan, and you can't get new tags until you've paid them all off. --- lfk
Posted by: Sylvia Parson | December 2, 2008 12:59 PM