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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers about Umtriebsentschädigung, towing, parking enforcement and fuel theft — everything you need to know about the FalschParker app.

A FalschParker ParkGuard in a car park

Overview

  • What is an Umtriebsentschädigung?

    An Umtriebsentschädigung covers the effort that unauthorised parking on private property causes the rights holder in Switzerland: keeper identification, documentation and administration. It is measured against that actual effort and in practice sits between CHF 40 and CHF 80. Where further loss arises — blocked access, disruption to operations or lost revenue — that can be claimed in addition.

  • When can I have a vehicle towed?

    On parking spaces clearly marked as private property — by yellow markings, private signage or a court-issued no-parking notice — and at blocked entrances to courtyards, underground garages or emergency exits. The driver must be unreachable and the parking space needed. The FalschParker app dispatches a tow truck from our Swiss partner network within around 20 Minutes.

  • How does the process work?

    In three steps: 1) Photograph the vehicle with the FalschParker app, capture the licence plate and submit the case. 2) We identify the keeper via the responsible authority and issue the Umtriebsentschädigung digitally with a QR code. 3) We handle dispatch, collection and communication. The claim is assigned to us; settlement with you follows your contract — with no further effort on your part.

  • What does the service cost?

    For you as a parking-space owner or lessee the FalschParker app is completely free — including towing, keeper lookup and collection. There are no setup or recurring fees. All costs are recovered directly from the unauthorised parker.

  • What legal basis does the process rest on?

    The process rests on Swiss private law: parking on private property without authorisation is an unauthorised use of someone else's property. The key requirement is clearly visible signage on the private parking area. We work with specialist lawyers and have handled over 120,000 cases. Whether a claim is enforceable in any individual case depends on the specific circumstances; we cannot give any assurance as to the outcome of an individual case.

  • How is my data protected?

    All data is processed in Switzerland under the revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (revFADP) and used exclusively to handle the specific parking incident. Keeper lookups are performed by the responsible cantonal authority, sensitive information is transmitted in encrypted form and is never shared with uninvolved third parties. Full details are in our privacy policy.

How it works

  • Is the FalschParker app really free?

    Yes, it is completely free for parking space owners and tenants. You incur no costs – the fees are collected directly from the wrongful parker.

  • What happens if the wrongful parker doesn't pay?

    If the compensation isn't paid on time, we initiate the collection process. We handle all further steps – you don't have to do anything else.

  • Do I need a court injunction to issue a compensation notice?

    No, a court injunction is not required. You can claim compensation for unauthorised parking on your private space even without one. An existing injunction does, however, enable additional legal steps such as a criminal complaint.

  • How quickly does the tow truck arrive?

    Our GPS-based network of towing providers across Switzerland automatically identifies the nearest driver. You can track the tow truck's arrival in real time on the map.

  • How high is the compensation?

    The compensation is usually between CHF 40 and CHF 80. It depends on the actual effort involved and the local parking conditions.

  • What data is collected and how is it protected?

    We collect licence plates, proof photos and GPS location. All data is processed in accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and used solely to enforce your legitimate claims.

Umtriebsentschädigung

  • Do you need a court-issued no-parking order to issue an Umtriebsentschädigung?

    No — a court order (audienzrichterliches Verbot) is not required to issue an Umtriebsentschädigung. If the parking area is additionally covered by a court-issued prohibition, the unauthorised parker may face a separate criminal complaint for disregarding the order, on top of the Umtriebsentschädigung itself.

  • What is an assignment agreement (Zessionsvertrag)?

    A cession is an assignment of a claim. The debtor-creditor relationship changes because the claim is transferred to us. The assignor (Zedent) transfers the claim to the assignee (Zessionar), who can then collect it independently.

  • How high is an Umtriebsentschädigung?

    An Umtriebsentschädigung sits in practice between CHF 40 and CHF 80 and is measured against the actual effort incurred. If the violation causes lost revenue or other damage, that further loss can be claimed in addition.

Towing service

  • How much does the app or having a vehicle towed cost?

    Our service is completely free for our customers. There are no costs to you — fees are collected directly from the unauthorised parker.

  • When may a vehicle be towed?

    On parking spaces that are clearly distinguished from public areas by visual and signage features — yellow markings, private signs — as well as at entrances to courtyards, underground garages, etc. In particular, when the driver cannot be identified and the parking space is needed.

  • Who pays the costs and who is liable if the parker does not pay?

    Under Art. 164 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), the towing costs can be assigned (ceded) to ParkGuard Solutions GmbH. Once the assignment is in place, the right to recover the costs from the unauthorised parker passes to the towing service.

  • Do you need a court-issued no-parking sign?

    No, a court order is not required to issue an Umtriebsentschädigung. If the parking area additionally carries a court-issued prohibition (audienzrichterliches Verbot), the unauthorised parker may face a separate criminal complaint on top of the Umtriebsentschädigung.

Customer parking

  • Who is the ParkGuard service for?

    The FalschParker ParkGuard service is ideal for B2B customers such as retailers, larger businesses and other facilities with high-traffic parking areas. It is particularly suited to operators whose own staff do not have the capacity to enforce parking themselves.

  • How are my parking spaces monitored?

    Our professionally trained ParkGuards check your parking areas according to your specifications. They verify whether vehicles hold an active parking booking or are listed as authorised in the FalschParker app. ParkGuards complete a three-week training programme covering a wide range of on-site situations and wear clearly identifiable clothing to ensure a visible presence on site.

  • What happens if someone parks without authorisation?

    If our ParkGuards identify a parking violation, a digital Umtriebsentschädigung with a QR code is issued according to your specifications. You benefit from full transparency: every step is documented in the FalschParker app.

  • Is the service really free?

    Yes, the service is free as long as the parking volume is in reasonable proportion to the enforcement effort required.

Private parking

  • Can I charge outside parkers on my private parking bay?

    Your parking space is private property: anyone parking there without authorisation is using your property without the right to do so. This is not a fine — only a public authority can impose one — but an Umtriebsentschädigung covering your effort. You issue it through the FalschParker app; we handle keeper identification, administration and collection.

  • What does the FalschParker app cost for individuals and property managers?

    It's free for you as the space owner, tenant or manager. There are no subscription or setup fees — the expense-compensation charge is paid by the wrongful parker.

  • Does it work in an underground garage too?

    Yes. Whether an outdoor bay, underground garage or visitor space — you capture the outside parker by photo in the app and issue the charge. We can supply matching notice signs on request.

  • Can several properties be managed centrally?

    Yes. Property managers and cooperatives manage any number of properties, zones and bays centrally in one app — with a complete overview of every report.

Fuel theft

  • How do I handle a fuel theft with this app?

    Using the FalschParker app you can capture proof photos of the vehicle (with the licence plate visible) and a photo of the fuel receipt for the suspected fuel theft. We handle the entire administration and collection. Once we have received the outstanding amount, we transfer it to you the same day.

  • How much are the processing costs for a fuel theft?

    The processing costs for a fuel theft amount to CHF 20.00 to cover our administrative effort, since in most cases there is no intentional fraud behind it.

  • What about a vehicle with foreign plates? Can the amount owed be collected abroad too?

    When a foreign-registered vehicle is involved, we use the power of attorney you sign with us to contact the police and trace the person responsible so that the applicable claim can be invoiced.