2024-01-23 20:30:00
The number of complaints filed with the Consumer Protection Office (OPC) against Quebec companies that issue “false tickets” has almost tripled in recent weeks.
• Read also: “Very questionable”: A class action envisaged against these false parking fines
• Read also: Stat Park, Max Park, Pay Park: what to do with these fake parking tickets?
• Read also: Stat Park, Max Park, Pay Park: who is behind the Quebec companies issuing fake traffic tickets?
The Journal revealed last month that three companies in Greater Montreal are giving “fake tickets” to motorists in private parking lots, worth $63 to $103. Max Park Solutions Inc., Stat Park Inc. and PayPark Canada Inc. claim to want to avoid “a towing festival” by giving “false findings”.
Keter Desrosiers had received a “false parking fine” at the Domaine Shopping Center during our visit on November 10. Francis Pilon / JdeM
Several victims of these companies decided to complain to the authorities following our investigation on this subject. From November 2023 to January 2024, the OPC claims that the number of reports against these givers of “false fines” has almost tripled. It went from 92 to 245, an increase of 166%.
“These complaints were analyzed summarily and relate to non-compliance with a provision of a law over which the Office monitors. However, these are unverified assertions,” specifies Charles Tanguay, spokesperson for the OPC.
Listen to the interview with a Quebecer denouncing one of these companies:
“Deceptive” and “illegal” practices
The drivers behind the 245 complaints reported to the OPC a “debt collection” or a “deceptive practice” linked in particular to “false tickets”.
The Stat Park and PayPark companies are located in this same building in Laval. MARTIN ALARIE / LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL
Stat Park Inc., which belongs to Lyne Côté, is the most denounced. It now has 120 reports, compared to 47 last November. This company also monitors 400 sites in Quebec with agents and cameras.
Lyne Côté, owner of Stat Park inc. Lyne Spark’s Facebook
Gary Bastien’s company, Max Park Solutions Inc., which serves 12 regions of Quebec, now has 107 complaints to the OPC compared to 32 in November. Paypark Canada Inc., of which Sylvain Vallières is the owner, is also targeted by 18 reports.
Sylvain Vallières, who launched the company Pay Park Canada inc., in 2019 in Laval. He confirms working in collaboration with Lyne Côté, from Stat Park inc. Photo taken from the Facebook account of Sylvain Vallieres
Remember that a lawyer specializing in traffic offenses has confirmed that these bogus fines are downright “illegal”. “The form of the document handed out does not work and looks a lot like a real fine. It gives people the false impression that they must quickly pay this “false ticket”,” explained Mr. Éric Lamontagne.
This bogus ticket, from the company Max Park Solutions Inc., was given to a driver in Montreal at the beginning of November. MARTIN ALARIE / LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL
A class action is also being considered against these givers of “fake tickets”, the Consumers’ Union revealed last month.
See a “fake fine” giver caught in the act in Montreal:
Not their fault
Stat Park Inc. as well as Paypark Canada inc. maintain, however, that this increase in complaints is the result of the investigation by Journal and not their practices.
“Please remove all links to Paypark Canada Inc. There are other subjects more useful for social good,” Sylvain Vallières wrote in a text message.
Max Park Solutions inc. had not responded to our questions at the time of publishing this article.
Building in which Max Park Solutions inc. is located, on 100th avenue in Laval. Photo Martin Chevalier
WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE A FALSE PARKING TICKET?
- File a complaint with the Consumer Protection Office
- Do not pay the amount of the false fine
- Do not contact the company. Otherwise, it will collect your private information
- If you have paid these fees, you can give notice to the merchant to reimburse you
- You could even seek punitive damages in small claims court
Source: The Consumer Protection Office
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