Mamdani Administration Permanently Bans Way.com From Enabling Illegal Parking Lots to Scam Consumers

July 3, 2026

DCWP Targets Junk Fees, Bait-and-Switch Pricing, Vehicle Damage, and Theft

NEW YORK, NY – Today Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) finalized an enforcement action against Way.com, Inc., one of the most well-known online booking platforms for garages and parking lots. The company agreed to pay $200,000 in civil penalties and is permanently prohibited from listing illegal parking facilities on its website and mobile applications.

A DCWP investigation found that Way.com enabled dozens of unlicensed garages and parking lots to scam people, with a significant concentration in the area surrounding John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). As detailed in the lawsuit, these businesses lured consumers searching for affordable parking and caused direct harm—not only through deceptive practices like junk fees and bait-and-switch pricing, but by damaging cars, stealing property, and posing physical harm. To add insult to injury, Way.com profited off this deception, enticing consumers to complete their entire transaction through its platforms and siphoning off a portion of the payment for itself.

“New York City is clamping down on parking schemes that rip off vulnerable consumers. By bringing Way.com—a leading parking platform—into compliance, we are cutting the head off the snake. We will not tolerate digital platforms facilitating illegal activity, especially amid a busy summer travel season and World Cup tourism,” said Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “Trying to find parking is stressful enough, whether you’re racing to catch your flight out of JFK or you’re a visitor navigating city streets for the first time. The last thing you should worry about is whether your car will still be there when you return.”

Details of the Case

Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Way.com is permanently prohibited from aiding in any way the operation of unlicensed garages and parking lots within New York City. Additionally, the company must implement robust procedures to identify such facilities and actively monitor its digital platforms. Because this order is being entered in the New York State Supreme Court, any violations can subject Way.com to a finding of contempt.

Illegal parking facilities pose physical danger to consumers and their property, often targeting people in areas where parking is expensive or hard to find. Since 2021, DCWP has received more than 5,900 consumer complaints against garages or parking lots, including many allegations of junk fees and being charged more than was initially advertised. Other complaints detail damaged vehicles and stolen property. In some cases, people have even been left stranded without access to their cars. These businesses often refuse to appear at hearings or pay fines, simply continuing to operate under alternate accounts on Way.com.

DCWP’s investigation found that many unlicensed garages and parking lots relied significantly on Way.com to conduct their illegal operations. By providing prominent exposure and convenient online booking capabilities, Way.com gave them a false appearance of legitimacy and professionalism. Many of these businesses lack a physical brick-and-mortar location and are unidentifiable to the public. Some operate a temporary “valet” sign and park customers’ cars on residential streets without the owners’ permission, disturbing the surrounding community in the process.

DCWP urges consumers to use the License Lookup Tool to verify that parking facilities are legitimate before making reservations. Consumers should report suspected unlicensed garages and parking lots immediately at nyc.gov/consumers.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
press@dcwp.nyc.gov
(212) 436-0042