Trading Standards statistics show that 130 customers reported issues with car parking companies at the West Sussex airport in 2024, up from 73 in 2022.
In some instances, vehicles have been left in fields and local highways.
Bedford has advised passengers to look for the ParkMark, an accreditation mark issued by the British Parking Association, plus Trading Standards information, to ensure the businesses they use are legitimate.
He said customers could also look for independent reviews online, and should be cautious of prices which are “too good to be true”.
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