HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry has reached a settlement with Walk’s Service Center Inc. and its owner, Bradley Karch, concerning the company’s private ticketing practices in State College.
The settlement addresses allegations of deceptive and unfair business practices that involved issuing private parking tickets resembling government-issued tickets.
The Office of Attorney General sued Walk’s in 2020, claiming the company required Pennsylvania consumers to pay these tickets under false threats of prosecution and/or unlawful vehicle retention.
The settlement includes several key provisions:
- Walk’s Service Center is prohibited from requiring the payment of private parking tickets prior to releasing towed vehicles.
- The company must modify its tickets to clearly indicate they are private and privately enforced.
- Walk’s is barred from threatening collection efforts or imposing additional fees unless such fees are clearly disclosed at the parking location.
The settlement, approved by the court as a consent petition, aims to prevent further deceptive practices.
“This company was demanding that consumers pay additional private ticket fees under false threat of prosecution or the retention of their towed vehicle,” said Attorney General Henry. “In those instances where the ‘ticketed’ vehicles were towed, consumers already facing substantial costs related to the tow were then subjected to private ticket fees imposed by Walk’s.”
As part of the agreement, Walk’s has established a $15,000 fund to compensate eligible consumers who paid private parking tickets issued by Walk’s. Consumers who have not received full reimbursement can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by November 19, 2024.
Consumers can file complaints by calling 800-441-2555 or emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
