Welp. You live and you learn. A Midtown Parking Scam.

Been living in Houston for years and I try avoid Midtown as much as I can. Tonight, we tried out Izakaya on Gray St.

There is a parking garage next to Izakaya and signs posted all over the garage say it’s a Text to Pay or use the parking booth.

We park and a guy in a hoodie and reflective parking vest asks us where we’re eating, how long we’re staying for. An hour was “$6.50. Cash only.”

My s/o questions it as the signs indicate we can use the booth. He says it’s broken. The only cash we have is $20 so he hands it (stupid decision). He asks if we need change (of course we need damn change, why would I tip you after parking my own damn car).

He says, “I need to go get change. Please stay here (about 5 times, super fishy at this point but he has our cash). I need to go over there. Please stay. It’s for my job.” He walks into the distance and around the corner.

15 seconds in we realise something is wrong, my s/o walks around the corner and he’s gone. I walk to the restaurant and describe the situation. Immediately the hostess’ faces change; I knew it. We’ve been scammed. She calls her manager who then calls for security and asks me to describe the person.

We got scammed off of $20 and I was so pissed, the only thing I could do was drink and cuss this lowlife POS a lot under my breath.

TLDR; don’t give anyone your cash if parking in Midtown unless they have an ID or s**t.