My Story

Susie's story. Susie wins in parking fine dispute against ANCP and debt collection company Dun and Bradstreet. Read more ...

Joanne's story. Joanne said she felt "stalked" when she was tracked down like a bloodhound and phoned at her workplace by Australian Recoveries and Collections. And this was despite not owing any money at all. Read more ...

Paul's story. Paul received demands from Australian National Car Parks and Mittu Gopalan even though he had never parked in the claimed car park. Read more ...

Peter's story. Peter received a fine from Traffic Monitoring Services. When TMS didn't withdraw it, he complainted to NSW Fair Trading. Read Peter's story to find out what happened next. Read more ...

Michael's story. Michael received a letter of demand from BDK lawyers on behalf of Traffic Management Services and BDK lawyers. Using similar tactics to recommended on this site, he had his fine withdrawn. Read more ...

Louise's story. Louise is one of the remarkable few who have been successful in extracting a refund from ANCP for a fine that has already been paid. Read more ...

Robert's story. Last July, Robert Terrett received a letter of “intention to sue” from Australian National Cark Parks for allegedly breaching parking rules at Barkly Square Shopping Centre and driving a car he doesn't even own. Read more ...

Andrew's story. Andrew Borodin is one of the select few people who have been taken to court by ANCP. Read more ...

Michelle's story. Michelle received a legal notice from a company called "Force Legal" about a private parking fine. The name "Force Legal" scared her. That is, until she found out the truth about this company. Read more ...

Ian's story

Ian received letters of demand from Care Park, Parke Lawyers and Crown Collections for an alleged infringement in September 2012. Because he knew I hadn’t parked there, he wrote in stating this and asked for photographic evidence showing that it was his vehicle (ie, with correct registration number etc). They sent him photos and sure enough it was the wrong car. Ian emailed me, suggesting that this has probably happened to others, as they’ve obviously not overly diligent with how they collect information.

Steven's story

Steven received a $66.00 fine from ANCP. That afternoon, Steven rang the company that owned the car park (ANCP operated, but didn't own the car park) and explained to a senior manager of the company that the signs were wrong, and that he wasn't parked illegally, and was in fact parking in compliance with the wording on the signs. The company refused to ask ANCP to withdraw the fine. Steven decided to return to the car park later that evening and took photos of the signs. Three months later, Steven received an $88.00 reminder notice from ANCP. Steven went back to the carpark and took new photos. When Steven got home he compared the new photos with the photos taken three months ago. The signs were in exactly the same place, but the wording had been changed and were now clear that Steven could no longer park in the spot he did 3 months ago. But of course, the implication is also that 3 months ago Steven was legally parked in compliance with the signs that were there then. But ANCP continued to persue the original fine. ANCP must have know the signs were wrong, because they fixed them. Steven is not paying the fine. Steven is taking legal action against ANCP and when the action is completed he is going to publicise the result. (Steven is not his real name).

Mary's story

Mary received a $66.00 fine from Parking Patrols (Vic) Pty Ltd in an Ace Parking car park in Box Hill. She has a ticket which she has kept. She also scanned and emailed the ticket to herself in case she ever loses or misplaces it. The infringement notice on her car windscreen said she wasn't parking according to directions (even though she had a valid ticket). Mary rang Ace Parking and without giving her personal details (Mary didn't give her name) found out that this notice is issued when your car is not within the confines of the lines that mark the car park. However, Mary knows there were no clear lines in the car park and that drivers have to figure out for themselves where to park. Mary has taken digital photos of the car park as proof (in case they later paint lines). She is ignoring further letters from Parking Patrols (Vic) Pty Ltd. If they take Mary to court, she will show the photos as evidence. Mary is also concerned about other drivers who may have received fines in this car park for not parking within the lines. Mary is preparing to contact consumer affairs and asking them to investigate. Mary is hoping that Consumer Affairs will direct the company to pay back all fines received in this car park in Box Hill since it was first created. (Mary is not her real name).