Residents could be owed money over fake State College parking ‘tickets’ after lawsuit

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — A lawsuit over parking “tickets” in State College has been settled and you may be able to get restitution if you got one.

In 2020, The Office of the Attorney General sued Walk’s Service Center and its owner, Bradley Karch, over the company’s private ticketing practice. AG Michelle Henry said they engaged in “deceptive and unfair” practices by issuing private parking “tickets” in State College that look similar to government parking tickets. People ticketed by Walk’s were forced to pay the tickets under the false threat of prosecution and/or unlawful retention of their vehicle.

As part of the settlement, Walk’s agreed to provide a $15,000 fund to be disbursed to those eligible who have filed or will file complaints with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. The complaints must be related to the consumer paying a private parking ticket issued by Walk’s.

The settlement will also prohibit Walk’s from requiring the payment of private parking tickets before the release of towed vehicles and requires them to modify their tickets to make it clear they are privately enforced. They will also be prohibited from threatening collection efforts or imposing additional fees unless explicitly authorized.

“This company was demanding that consumers pay additional private ticket fees under false threat of prosecution or the retention of their towed vehicle,” Henry said. “In those instances where the ‘ticketed’ vehicles were towed, consumers that were already facing substantial costs related to the tow were then subjected to private ticket fees imposed by Walk’s.”

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Any consumers who paid a private parking ticket issued by Walk’s, and who have not received full reimbursement yet, should file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 800-441-2555, or emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov by November 19, 2024 .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.