# What will happen if I don't pay a parking ticket issued by a private parking lot? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512 "2017-03-06T02:25:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/21 "2017-03-08T14:16:49Z")
Well clearly the OP’s question regarding the enforcement provision by a private company makes one assume that there’s a difference in their mind about paying an overage fee from a municipality vs. paying one from a private company. If it’s your debt, it’s your debt. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/22 "2017-03-08T15:01:25Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > The answer appears to be either through Collections or through arrangements with local municipalities. How do they know who to bill? Is the tag receipt a public document? And while that will show who owns the vehicle, are they always responsible for paying the parking fee to a private company? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/23 "2017-03-08T15:16:23Z")
> [@nate](#): > > How do they know who to bill? Is the tag receipt a public document? And while that will show who owns the vehicle, are they always responsible for paying the parking fee to a private company? In the link I provided above, the company in question gives that information. They sync with government agencies and use available tools and databases to track that information. Basically, they use the same methods that a government parking agency uses. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/24 "2017-03-08T18:06:15Z")
The question you have to ask yourself is: is your integrity worth more than $25? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/25 "2017-03-08T19:33:52Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > The question you have to ask yourself is: is your integrity worth more than $25? And a less philosophical question: Are you willing to bet your peace-and-quiet and your credit report against $25? Because one of the worst First World problems to have is a collection agency chasing your ass. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/26 "2017-03-08T20:14:13Z")
Don’t pay it. And keep us posted, okay? ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/27 "2017-03-09T03:18:34Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Don’t pay it. > > And keep us posted, okay? I would love to try this experiment, but I’m not risking my credit rating over $25. Doesn’t seem worth it. Although I’m 98% sure no one will bother collecting $25. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/28 "2017-03-09T14:55:09Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > I would love to try this experiment, but I’m not risking my credit rating over $25. Doesn’t seem worth it. Although I’m 98% sure no one will bother collecting $25. You’ve had multiple people mention they do bother. I’m sure they have a very easy and defined method to turn them over to collections which they routinely do. Why would you doubt what we are telling you? If it’s only a 2% chance that they actually would, seems like a pretty good gamble to save you $25! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/29 "2017-03-09T16:24:14Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > In the link I provided above, the company in question gives that information. They sync with government agencies and use available tools and databases to track that information. Basically, they use the same methods that a government parking agency uses. Serious question - other than insurance companies can other private entities buy/access license plate/address info from the government? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/30 "2017-03-09T17:54:01Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Serious question - other than insurance companies can other private entities buy/access license plate/address info from the government? From what I know, it depends on the state. There are 50 answers to this. Here’s one example: [CBS Texas - Breaking Local News, First Alert Weather & I-Team Investigations](http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/02/11/cbs-11-investigates-your-personal-information-for-sale-you-cant-opt-out/) > [@](#): > > CBS 11’s I-Team Investigator Mireya Villarreal discovered nearly 2,500 agencies or businesses purchased the DMV’s data in some form last year. **On this list there are towing companies, collection agencies, insurance companies, hospitals, banks, schools, city governments, and even private investigators.** How much they pay depends on the kind of information or quantity they’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/31 "2017-03-09T17:55:42Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Serious question - other than insurance companies can other private entities buy/access license plate/address info from the government? Different jurisdictions are going to have different rules, but I think Kansas is fairly typical: here, anyone can buy the information if they declare they intend to use it for a purpose authorized by Kansas law. The [records request form (PDF)](http://ksrevenue.org/pdf/trdl302.pdf) includes such authorized purposes as investigation in anticipation of litigation. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/32 "2017-03-09T23:27:23Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > You’ve had multiple people mention they do bother. I’m sure they have a very easy and defined method to turn them over to collections which they routinely do. Why would you doubt what we are telling you? If it’s only a 2% chance that they actually would, seems like a pretty good gamble to save you $25! The people that mentioned it seem like they are theorizing on a possible method of enforcement, but haven’t actually seen that method of enforcement put into practice. Has anyone actually seen a $25 go to collections? ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/33 "2017-03-10T01:17:50Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > The people that mentioned it seem like they are theorizing on a possible method of enforcement, but haven’t actually seen that method of enforcement put into practice. > > Has anyone actually seen a $25 go to collections? I’ve seen a debt go to court for less than that. (The creditor can add costs onto the bill, so if they think you’ll have wages or accounts they can garnish, it’s not a huge gamble.) ---
**Author:** ![dofe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ba0ec/32.png) [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/34 "2017-03-10T01:21:19Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > The people that mentioned it seem like they are theorizing on a possible method of enforcement, but haven’t actually seen that method of enforcement put into practice. > > Has anyone actually seen a $25 go to collections? My sister had this exact thing happen to her – never bothered to pay a “ticket” from a private lot and it went into collections (with late fees on top of the original “ticket” amount). My understanding is that debt collection companies buy up these past-due debts in bulk for pennies on the dollar such that collecting on that $25 fine actually works out financially for these companies. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/35 "2017-03-10T01:59:27Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > The people that mentioned it seem like they are theorizing on a possible method of enforcement, but haven’t actually seen that method of enforcement put into practice. > > Has anyone actually seen a $25 go to collections? Yeah. A video tape (what’s a video tape, grandpa?) that I knew I had never seen, but my daughter _might_ have, gave me several years of intermittent dunning notices, amount maybe $27, before I finally gave in _and just paid it._ It’s an industry. And they will follow your ass to hell. But I’ll give you that it was $27, not $25. So maybe you’re okay. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/36 "2017-03-10T04:41:18Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > I would love to try this experiment, but I’m not risking my credit rating over $25. Doesn’t seem worth it. Although I’m 98% sure no one will bother collecting $25. My bet would be that if anyone sells their $25 unpaid bills it would be a parking lot operator. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/37 "2017-03-10T04:42:29Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > My bet would be that if anyone sells their $25 unpaid bills it would be a parking lot operator. Sells to a collection agency. ---
**Author:** ![krinh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@krinh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krinh)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/38 "2017-03-10T05:18:49Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > I would love to try this experiment, but I’m not risking my credit rating over $25. Doesn’t seem worth it. Although I’m 98% sure no one will bother collecting $25. if u dont pay it, they may use that as an excuse to tack on no-show/unpaid fine charges. could turn it into way more of a mess then it needs to be. specially if they get a collection agency gets involved ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/39 "2017-03-10T14:56:09Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > The people that mentioned it seem like they are theorizing on a possible method of enforcement, but haven’t actually seen that method of enforcement put into practice. > > Has anyone actually seen a $25 go to collections? Dude, I wasn’t theorizing in post 13. Yes, I was talking from personal experience. I have seen both private lots and cities send parking tickets to collections. Quickly. I have yet to see an unpaid parking ticket NOT end up in collections. I think the city parking ticket was $15. Luckily, my reckless, youthful scofflaw days are behind me.Oh wait - Maybe I was just broke 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512/40 "2017-10-03T21:32:49Z")
Bumping because I just overheard a coworker making a collection call to someone who owes money for a parking ticket at the airport five or six months ago. The person owes $15 and change. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-i-dont-pay-a-parking-ticket-issued-by-a-private-parking-lot/781512.md?page=3)