a day ago
Vermont drivers misled by parking firm now getting $150K settlement
The Vermont Attorney General's Office has reached a settlement with Unified Parking Partners, a Maine-based company, over allegations of misleading consumers, according to a community announcement.
Unified Parking Partners, which operates 27 private parking facilities in Vermont, allegedly issued misleading "citations" to consumers between 2020 and 2024. These citations suggested that failure to pay could impact a consumer's credit rating, vehicle registration, license renewal or ability to rent a vehicle, despite the company having no authority to enforce such consequences.
The settlement requires Unified Parking Partners to change its parking notices and pay $150,000 to the state. The company must cease using terms like "citation" or "fine" and refrain from using language that implies governmental authority or threatens consequences it cannot lawfully impose.
'Companies have a right to charge for services rendered, but not to trick consumers into paying out of fear that disputing a charge could come with consequences the company has no power to impose,' Attorney General Charity Clark said in the announcement. 'The message to commercial actors is that words matter and misrepresentations carry consequences. I'm pleased that this company has agreed to stop its misrepresentations.'
Consumers who wish to dispute charges or provide proof of payment can contact Unified Parking Partners by emailing support@ or calling 207-747-4230 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Vermonters with consumer complaints can reach out to the Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Program at 800-649-2424 or email
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Parking company fined for misleading Vermont drivers with fake threats
