Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating unlawful DMV data use where private parking companies that use license plate recognition (LPR) technology to access state motor vehicle records and send payment demand letters—without drivers’ knowledge or consent.
License Plate Scanned, DMV Data Accessed—Without Consent
Across the U.S., companies like Imperial Parking (U.S.), LLC (“Impark”) operate parking lots that use LPR cameras to enforce payment. These cameras record license plate numbers of vehicles entering and exiting the facility. In many cases, if a vehicle is flagged—correctly or not—as having unpaid parking, the company will access DMV records to retrieve the registered owner’s name and home address.
From there, companies mail “Statement Letters” demanding payment for supposed violations—even if the driver paid, and without ever asking for or receiving permission to access that personal information.
No Disclosure. No Consent. Possible Violation of Federal Law.
This practice raises serious concerns under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), a federal law that prohibits companies from obtaining or using personal information from motor vehicle records without a permissible purpose or driver consent.
The lawsuit Islas Durand v. Imperial Parking (U.S.), LLC, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Impark violated the DPPA by:
- Accessing DMV records without driver consent or a lawful reason;
- Mailing payment demands and threatening collections using that unlawfully obtained data;
- Failing to inform consumers that their personal information would be collected and used in this manner.
Consumers Report Harassment and Overcharges
Many individuals report receiving letters threatening collections for parking they had already paid, or for infractions that were never proven. These letters often include:
- Date, location, and amount allegedly owed
- License plate number
- Threats of additional fees or legal action
This practice has left consumers feeling harassed, invaded, and misled.
Did a Parking Company Use Your DMV Data Without Permission?
You may be affected if:
- You parked at a privately operated lot using license plate recognition enforcement;
- You later received a demand letter in the mail referencing your license plate;
- You never gave consent to share your DMV information;
- You were not informed at the time of parking that your data would be accessed in this way;
- You experienced harassment, incorrect charges, or threats of collections.
Contact Us
If this happened to you, you may have a claim under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, which provides for statutory damages per violation, along with possible punitive damages.
To learn more, please complete the questionnaire on this page and email us at [email protected] or call us at (202) 470-3520 with any questions.