Drivers Accuse Euro Car Parks of Unjust Debt Collection Practices

Drivers across the UK have raised serious allegations against Euro Car Parks, a company managing over 3,000 car parks, for issuing unjust parking fines and subsequently employing aggressive debt collection tactics. Many motorists, including Jane Winder and Kelly Haydock, have reported being pursued for payments they believe they do not owe, leading to significant stress and anxiety.

The Guardian

Jane Winder, a resident of Preston, received multiple letters from five different debt collection agencies demanding £170 after being accused of not purchasing a £2.30 parking ticket at a Euro Car Parks location in Lancashire. Despite providing evidence of her payment, including a bank statement and a photo of her ticket, her appeal was rejected. Winder faced escalating threats of court action, which culminated in a court claim that was later discontinued by Euro Car Parks just before the hearing. She expressed her frustration, stating, “I had to stand up for the little people, because these big companies can afford to do this.”

The Guardian

Similarly, Kelly Haydock, who received a £100 parking charge notice while shopping in Manchester, also submitted evidence of her payment but faced relentless demands from debt collectors. The situation escalated to the point where she felt compelled to pay £75 to avoid court proceedings, despite believing she was in the right. Haydock described the experience as “truly horrible,” highlighting the emotional toll it took on her as a foster carer.

The Guardian

Euro Car Parks utilizes automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to monitor parking payments and issues parking charge notices (PCNs) to those it believes have not complied. The company has faced scrutiny from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which fined it £473,000 for failing to provide necessary information to regulators. According to the independent appeals service Popla, Euro Car Parks had the second-highest number of appealed PCNs in 2023, with 12,000 appeals, indicating a significant level of dissatisfaction among drivers.

The Guardian

The public sentiment towards Euro Car Parks is overwhelmingly negative, as evidenced by reviews on Trustpilot, where 99% of over 3,000 reviews are one-star ratings. Many drivers have shared their experiences of feeling bullied by debt collectors, with accusations of using aggressive tactics to extract payments. Michal Lucki, another affected driver, described his two-and-a-half-year ordeal with Euro Car Parks as “mentally draining,” emphasizing the psychological impact of the situation.

The Guardian

Despite multiple attempts by Guardian Money to obtain a response from Euro Car Parks regarding these allegations, the company did not provide any comments. This lack of communication raises further concerns about the company's accountability and customer service practices.

The Guardian

The experiences of drivers like Winder, Haydock, and Lucki illustrate a troubling pattern of behavior by Euro Car Parks, characterized by the issuance of questionable fines and aggressive debt collection practices. As more individuals come forward with similar stories, the need for regulatory oversight and consumer protection in the parking industry becomes increasingly apparent.

The Guardian