Kennebunk police thought it was a parking scam. It turned out to be more complicated.

Private Parking Ticket Mistaken for Scam Sparks Police Warning in Kennebunk

Kennebunk, Maine — 30 Aug 2026

A white and red parking citation that appeared in a hotel’s private lot this past weekend was initially flagged by the Kennebunk Police Department as a possible scam. After a review, officers determined the ticket was issued by a private parking enforcement company and not a city fine.

The Incident

Sgt. Michael Raymond, who heads the city’s parking enforcement unit, learned of the ticket when hotel managers called to report a suspicious notice found on a vehicle parked in their private lot. The notice, unlike typical Kennebunk citations, was not the yellow form the city normally issues; it bore a QR code in the center and warned that a fine was due within 14 days.

“Parking citations in Kennebunk are yellow, not red,” Raymond told reporters. The ticket’s design and color led the police to suspect it might be a phishing or scam attempt aimed at unsuspecting drivers.

Investigation and Findings

Upon investigation, officers examined the fine print. The notice clearly stated it was “privately issued” and included a link to ParkingCollect.com, a private parking enforcement company headquartered in South Portland. The ticket did not bear any municipal seal or reference to Kennebunk’s government.

The hotel, however, confirmed that it does not work with Parking Collect. “We don’t partner with that company,” Raymond said. No evidence surfaced that the ticket had been captured on camera at the hotel’s parking lot, and no other similar notices have been reported in the city to date.

Police Response

Initially, Kennebunk police issued a public warning urging residents to be cautious of “phony” parking tickets. The department emphasized that if a driver is uncertain about a ticket’s validity, the safest course is to verify with local police.

“We’re telling people to check with us before they pay,” Raymond added. Police are now asking anyone who finds a ticket that looks like the one at the hotel to report it to the department at 207‑985‑6121.

Parking Collect’s Reply

Attempts to contact Parking Collect for comment were unanswered. Police reached out via voicemail and email on Monday but did not receive a response from the company.

Community Impact

At this time, no fines have been paid under the ticket in question, and no criminal activity has been identified. The incident serves as a reminder of the growing number of private parking enforcement operations operating alongside municipal systems. Residents who receive a parking notice that does not match the city’s standard yellow form should contact the Kennebunk Police Department for confirmation.

For more information or to report a similar ticket, call the police department at 207‑985‑6121.