Guy Adams, a resident near Bristol, UK, experienced an unsettling incident after leaving his £100,000 Range Rover with the ‘meet and greet’ parking service, Parking 4 You, at Bristol Airport. While on holiday in Spain, Adams was suddenly awakened at 4 AM by notifications from his car’s tracking and communication system.
The system, which was unknown to the parking service staff, alerted him that his vehicle was being driven. Using an app on his phone, Adams could see that his car was being taken on a joyride, detailing its location, speed, and even the status of its windows.
For 40 minutes, Adams tracked the car as it was driven around a parking area near the A38, likely by employees of the parking service. The situation worsened when the car was eventually left with its windows down and unlocked, raising serious concerns about its security. Despite his immediate attempts to contact Parking 4 You, Adams received no response, leaving him increasingly anxious about his car’s safety.
In a bid to secure his vehicle and attract the attention of the parking service, Adams resorted to using the app to repeatedly trigger the car’s alarm. This action was his last resort to ensure someone would respond and secure his vehicle.
After persistent efforts, Adams finally received a reply, along with photographic proof that the car had been locked and the windows closed. However, the proof came from another person’s phone, further eroding Adams’ trust in the service.
Reflecting on the incident, Adams expressed his deep dissatisfaction and resolved never to use the company’s services again. He highlighted the incident as a significant breach of trust, particularly troubling because the company was supposed to provide a reputable meet-and-greet service directly linked to the airport. The lack of awareness among the staff about the car’s tracking system exacerbated his concerns, as it allowed him to monitor unauthorized use of his vehicle from afar.
He explained: “These people didn’t realise there’s a tracking system on the car, which lets me know if it’s moved, someone’s tried to get in, anything.
“I’d been away for a week when suddenly my phone starts going mad in the middle of the night. The car was being driven around.
“You hear about cases where that happens, but I thought that was with those airport parking places away from the airport – I thought this one was reputable, it’s a meet and greet service from the airport itself.”
Adams described the ordeal as “everyone’s worst nightmare,” emphasizing the fear and helplessness he felt, especially when he couldn’t immediately ensure his car’s safety. Although the car never left the car park and was later found safe, the fact that it had been driven without permission and left unsecured left Adams feeling deeply uneasy.
He underscored the critical importance of reliable service and stringent security measures when entrusting valuable possessions, particularly in situations where customers expect high levels of professionalism and trust.
He concluded: “It never left the car park at all, but it’s more the fact that they left my car open and the windows open.
“I couldn’t get through to anyone and this felt like everyone’s worst nightmare.
“The last resort was to set the alarm off – I thought ‘at least that will get their attention back in Bristol’.”
