Anna Hartz
Authorities Punish Parking Companies for Overcharging Drivers
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Parking fines are meant to keep things fair, but in Norway, some companies have taken things too far.
Now, they are facing massive penalties for overcharging drivers. The Norwegian Consumer Authority has ruled that three major parking companies must pay heavy fines every week for breaking the law, according to Boosted.
Onepark, Apcoa, and Aimo Park have been charging excessive fees, especially targeting camper van owners.
Regular drivers have also been hit with unfair charges. The government has decided to crack down.
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Onepark now faces weekly fines of 1.3 million kroner (approximately $123,500 USD). Apcoa must pay 950,000 kroner per week (about $90,250 USD), and Aimo Park owes 250,000 kroner (around $23,750 USD).
These fines will continue until the companies adjust their pricing to comply with the law.
Norwegian law, which took effect in January 2023, states that billing fees cannot exceed the actual cost of sending an invoice.
However, investigations have shown that these companies ignored the law and continued to charge excessive fees.
Bente Øverli, director of the Norwegian Consumer Authority, explained that the fines are set high to make overcharging financially unappealing.
If companies continue breaking the rules, the penalties will remain in place. The parking firms have until April 9 to appeal the decision.
If they do not make changes, they will have to pay these fines indefinitely.
While this issue is happening in Norway, other parking companies around Europe have also been caught violating regulations. Denmark is one other example in Scandinavia.
Some have even issued parking fines in areas where they had no authority to do so.
Cases like this show that consumers must remain aware of their rights and challenge unfair charges when necessary.
