DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit police are stepping up patrols so they can put a stop to parking scammers. It's been an ongoing problem that has victims loosing money, and businesses feeling frustrated.



Detroit police say they have plans in place to stop those parking scammers for Opening Day and beyond.

"Quite frankly, it's never been a bigger problem than it is now," Said Sean Swierkosz, general manager of Harry's Detroit, a sports bar right in the heart of the city's downtown.

Swierkosz says he's seen many customers being scammed by phony parking attendants in the neighborhood.

"They're very upset," he said. "They feel scammed and violated. I think (the) police department should be doing something about it."

Detroit police say thy've started a parking task force aimed at stopping phony parking attendants.

Action News is told some people are being scammed into thinking they've paid for a legitimate spot, but return to their car only to find they've been ticketed. Other scammers are charging people for a space when that space is on a public street.

So what do you need to know? Detroit police say legitimate parking attendants are licensed by the city, so check for it.

According to police, they'll have an identification card with a picture, lot and dated logo.

The entrance and exit should have the fee schedule listed. The attendants should not be out in the road trying to flag down people to pull into the lot.

Police say they have their own plan in place and scammers will be arrested. Swierkosz is hopeful the extra enforcement will put an end to the problem.

If you encounter a parking scam or phony parking people during Opening Day, contact Detroit police at 313-237-2850.