1. The Bogus Parking Attendant
You arrive at an event where an attendant points you to a nearby lot. You pull in, pay for your spot, and receive a payment stub. But, when the event ends, the attendant and your car are gone.
How it went down: A scammer collected your money and took off. You parked your car illegally in the lot, and the lot's actual owner had it towed.
The fix: Only entrust your car to a parking lot attendant with an official logo, a real sign, and a contact number. If you're suspicious, do a quick search for the company.
2. The Trick-it ticket
In this scam, you'll return to your car after an event to find that you have a ticket for illegal parking. You'll also find a note about a lawyer who can lower the ticket or an online site through which you can pay the fee.
How it went down: Sometimes, the ticket on your windshield is authentic. Or, it is there from scammers. In both scenarios, though, the helpful note about a lawyer or an online ticket payment platform is bogus. The "lawyer" is usually a scammer hoping to milk you for some cash, and the online site is full of malware.
The fix: Avoid tickets by using official parking lots only. Look for real signs instead of just a "Park Here" notice slapped onto a pole.
If you are ticketed, look for an official police logo or check the authenticity with your local police department. If you need the assistance of a lawyer, contact one on your own. Only pay a ticket online if you're absolutely sure it's a police site.
3. The Phony Mechanic
In this scam, you'll return to your car to find that it won't start. A bystander claiming to be a mechanic will offer assistance. After extorting you for cash, they'll "fix" your car.
How it went down: The "mechanic" disabled your car in an easy-to-fix way while you were gone so they could appear to "fix" it.
The fix: If your car suddenly won't start and a "mechanic" happens to be passing by, refuse their offer of "help." Call AAA instead.
4. False Accidents
You're backing out of a parking space, ensuring the coast is clear when a sudden bump occurs. You've hit a pedestrian who promises to make an insurance claim against you unless you pay them off.
How it went down: The accident "victim" was hiding out of sight and leaped behind your car as soon as you started driving.
The fix: Look for a closed-circuit camera and ask the lot's security if you can review the tape. Hopefully, you'll see the scammer pulling their ruse.
Now you know the 4 parking lot scams to look out for, you can protect yourself and your family while on vacation. If you like this post, check out our other posts on the MoneySmart Tips Blog.