Parking ticket

[artmosphere]

I can't believe I'm posting this here, but I have no where else to turn to for info or advises so what the heck.

I just a received a wicked parking ticket - $100 for parking at one of those medium-sized plaza for let's say an extended period of time. It's issued by Universal Parking Enforcement.

My question is has anyone received anything similar to this and did you consider either fighting it or just not paying it at all?? Really what are the repercussion if I don't pay? I know it says failure to pay may result in a lien registered to my vehicle or they will notify the credit bureau...and will this affect my demerit points?? I'm wondering how true is all this?

And if I do fight it, what can I say?? C'mon guys...need your help....thx.

 

[happygrump]

Who's Universal Parking Enforcement? Who gave them the right to fine you?

My advice - and I'm NOT a lawyer - would be to tear the thing in half and throw it away. I've had parking tickets before by private contractors, specifically ImPark, and I've never ever paid them and it hasn't affected my credit or anything.

 

[healer677]

I recieved a ticket a while back for a similar amount - I can't remember the parking company, but.....

I did remeber CityTV runnung a story on some company that's scamming people. Now, I contacted Howard Moscoe's office because he was the one addressing this issue. As well, I called a number, at which time a police officer asked me to fax a copy of the ticket to his office. He gave me his name and badge number for future reference.

But to make the long story short - you may not have to pay this one.

Let me see if I can find the number...

 

[healer677]

ok - got it

The story ran May 13 2004 with CityTV.
The fake tickets are usually white and unless the ticket states "City of Toronto Parking Tag Operations" - you can pretty much toss it.

Some scumbag companies are running this scam and apparently the cops can't do anything to stop it - but, they will tell you to toss the ticket as well, because these companies cannot add the amount on your renewal account for your tag or lisence.

Call this number as well 416 466 3955 Mon - Fri during business hours and get it sorted out.

 

[kbluejayk]

Good advise here artmosphere! there are a few of these scams going on.......

Now, if this had been a genuine ticket issued to you and you were asking us the same question, you really have 2 choices!

(1) Pay up and forget about it, if you know you were guilty and its only a nominal amount ($10-$20)....its hardly worth taking time off to fight it! or

(2) Go to the nearest office shown on the ticket, within the time allowed, and simply request a court date, likely 4-6 months hence.
If the ticket was issued by a private security guard, e.g. a condominium property, the chances are excellent that he/she won't even bother to show up, as they don't usually get paid for Court time. In this case the ticket gets tossed provided you show up and insist on a trial. Don't get conned into pleading guilty to the Crown before the judge comes in to Court! Every Accused has a right to face their accuser (the officer who issued the ticket)
so if they don't show .....case dismissed!

 

[artmosphere]

Thanks for the heads up guys. The ticket looks like a typical ticket(yellow) from the City of Toronto and the reason they marked down was - park vehicle and left property w/o consent. Yeah I never heard of "Universal Parking Enforcement", but that's the company. Apparently their address says up in Richmond Hill. I find the ticket kind of fishy because a) the time they wrote down was wrong and b) they have all these stickies with new numbers and address covering the old info on the ticket and c) you cannot pay by phone or internet only by mail or in person.

I also did a little research over the net and I found this http://www.fabuloussavings.com/cmct/company?id=1007674442&cityid=2
...shit is this for real?!

Yeah if the ticket was $20-$30, I'd pay it just to get it over with, but not freaking $100! I'm going to at least fight it or I just might file it under G.

Hey Healer677, thx for the info/number. Sorry, where is this number dialing to again?

 

[artmosphere]

It says payable to Universal Parking Enforcement Ltd.

I also tried calling the info number given and I get this voicemail saying to just leave a message and they will get back to you....sounds BS.

 

[healer677]

Sorry artmosphere...my bad - that 416 number is wrong.

Let me see if I can find Howard Moscoe's number.

 

[oakley]

I got the same ticket a couple of days ago from universal parking enforcement ltd. I find the ticket a little suspicious when i call the number on the ticket no one answers and i left a message to get back to me and nothing yet, if anyone else has had experience with this please let me know what you did.

Thanks

 

[Esco!]

Use it for toilet paper FFS

 

[Papi Chulo]

Use it for toilet paper FFS

...and then send it back to them

 

[DistantVoyeur]

Just adding 2 cents. People here are right. It is a ticket for parking on private property, not a "legal" ticket. The worst options are they tow you if you park on any property they have a contract to patrol and you are entered in a database when they check if you don't get a ticket in the future. Or they send it to a collection agency that buys the debt for pennies, then sends a threatening letter, for that amount they are unlikely to even register it with a credit bureau, the letter is just a fishing attempt.
If it was street parking, municipal property, or a municipal lot then it would be a legit ticket. Private property, private ticket.
I got a letter from C.I.T.Y. collections, told them to go have carnal relations with a goat.... hope they did....

 

[XTORONTO]

Don't they need a sin number or at the very least more info than only your license plate number to file with a credit bureau?

 

[goodtime]

Computerized - Lic plate -> Ownership for personal info then SIN # from credit bureau.

 

[Edifice]

What about if it's a ticket from let's say York University as I hear York U issues their own tickets.

Through some 1965 loophole they are tickets that must be paid otherwise they withhold your degree.

WTF???

 

[thompo69]

What about if it's a ticket from let's say York University as I hear York U issues their own tickets.

Through some 1965 loophole they are tickets that must be paid otherwise they withhold your degree.

WTF???

Well, any university will withhold your degree if you owe them money -- no loophole there. Problem for them is, you have to actually be a student for them to do something about it.

 

[Robocock]

I was given two tickets while being parked at the same location on the street and I swear the time between tickets was no more than 3 hours! Does anyone know the time between tickets if the time expires from the green ticket machine?

 

[basketcase]

Just adding 2 cents. People here are right. It is a ticket for parking on private property, not a "legal" ticket. The worst options are they tow you if you park on any property they have a contract to patrol and you are entered in a database when they check if you don't get a ticket in the future. Or they send it to a collection agency that buys the debt for pennies, then sends a threatening letter, for that amount they are unlikely to even register it with a credit bureau, the letter is just a fishing attempt.
If it was street parking, municipal property, or a municipal lot then it would be a legit ticket. Private property, private ticket.
I got a letter from C.I.T.Y. collections, told them to go have carnal relations with a goat.... hope they did....

I seem to remember that even on private property your car can't be towed without a ticket from the police (maybe municipal parking enforcement). A legit company will have the authorities on speed dial and you can get a legit city ticket on private property ( I know that my buildings super does this with our visitor parking). If you get towed, the first thing to ask for is the ticket. No ticket from the city, you have the right to get your car back without paying a cent since they did not have legal authority to tow.

Again, this is not legal advise, just things I have heard.

These guys aren't legit, send your ticket to the cops.

 

[basketcase]

I was given two tickets while being parked at the same location on the street and I swear the time between tickets was no more than 3 hours! Does anyone know the time between tickets if the time expires from the green ticket machine?

I've seen people hit just over once an hour in a 1h parking zone. I think as soon as they write the ticket they can start the clock again. No idea about time expired on green machines though.

 

[Robocock]

I've seen people hit just over once an hour in a 1h parking zone. I think as soon as they write the ticket they can start the clock again. No idea about time expired on green machines though.

Oh really? Thanks! Well at least give the person a chance to arrive and either leave or purchase another ticket!