Predatory Towing: How It Works and How You Can Avoid It | NBCLA

[@tomc.4860]

Why do the lawmakers not limit these outrageous storage fees? Charging $250 a day to store a car is criminal.

[@Elliven_X_Ghxsts]

If storage fees are more than 75 depending on vehicle it’s robbery inside and outside storages are different

[@ChrisBrown1228-i2u]

Bruh nobody charges 250 a day

[@Bredddi]

Don’t give your car to anyone. Call the tow company yourself and tell them exactly where to take it. Everyone has smartphone and Google reviews.

[@cowfat8547]

well they did say that the charges were often illegally high

[@rickterrance4981]

@@ChrisBrown1228-i2u yes they do. That's what they charge around here in Kentucky.

[@neophobicnyctophile8264]

Wait so let me get this straight--if I take a car that isn't mine, it's Grand Theft: Auto. But if I use a tow truck to do it, it's not only legal, but I can make all the money??

[@dankmemer2774]

Hehe, car thieves be like “you guys are getting paid for this?”

[@deamonsoul1]

Just carry around a 5lb keg of gunpowder

[@ebrakeramires339]

Been like that for decades

[@MiguelRodriguez-ef8dh]

Well you can try it, anytime. Those fools are just trying to make easy MONEY.

[@sarahs7253]

lol it makes no sense

[@Calmer573]

tow truck drivers are scandalous , but we all knew that already .

[@akahaney1]

Simple. If I didn't call you, you ain't touching my car

[@ebrakeramires339]

I loved towing people like your car

[@narcman81]

What if the police department called for a tow; that’s usually the case in accidents. Most police officers aren’t going to wait 4 hours for AAA to come tow your car if it poses a road hazard.

[@kseemylackofego9473]

Not in Massachusetts. Anything goes. same stuff over here, if not worst.

[@joel354]

@@ebrakeramires339 haha come tow this one big guy

[@ebrakeramires339]

@@joel354 if I got the call, sure.. Mind over matter... I don't mind. You don't matter.

[@jerradwilson]

Get roadside assistance/AAA. When in an accident that requires a tow, call your insurance company/AAA for a tow. Get the name of the tow truck company from the agent. Only accept the tow from that company unless law enforcement says otherwise.

[@skid_rowranger8248]

Good choice here. I use the same for all my towing.

[@skid_rowranger8248]

@Dalai Lama Not sure, but in SoCal a basic plan is probably around $50/year. They have better plans that extend tow range, etc and you can add family members to your plan. Good stuff.

[@crazyknarf]

That's 100% correct. AAA or your dealers only service. Ask who they are there for. If it not you, say, "NO" and tell them to get lost.

[@mind-of-neo]

Of course Towing is THEFT. It should NOT Be legal for anyone to move anyone else's vehicle without their permission. PERIOD.

[@IeeIee778]

Dumbass

[@RICHARD-hb9ir]

Yes

[@adamgonzalez9650]

Unless it's illegally parked in a fire lane blocking the way for the fire department to save lives, and taking up disabled parking spaces without having the sticker, causing actual disabled people to have extra trouble

[@Dee-ek6vk]

Then go pay $300 a month for union towing

[@MacWalther]

A Detroit company wanted $15,000 to release my truck after two days. I haven't seen it in over a month. Send in some SEALS!

[@Datacorrupter234]

Its comments like this as to why i troll towers i wait for them to show up then hop in and leave. I dont care if im there for 20 minutes i make sure to get a wave

[@canguskahn]

Im currently at $5400 for a car I sold 3 years ago but the driver never got the car registered or car in his name before I moved overseas. They must've towed the car recently cause I saw through usps email notification that they sent a letter to my last knowm registered address in Wyoming and to my cosignee's parents in TN. The owner wont release the car until the full amount is paid in cash 🤣🤣🤣. Also wont provide an invoice of charges since the letter he sent to my cosignee never physically reached her parents. He has no email, no website, nothing online that displays his tow rates so I could calculate myself. Also wont tell me the official date the car was picked up. Super shady and now Im having a hard time finding a lawyer who practices something in transportation law in WY.

[@danthedriver44]

This happened to me in New York. The only difference was the tow company was called from the "Police List". But they charged me for all sorts of fees and when my insurance sent another tow company to get my car, they would only accept cash to release my car.

[@Datacorrupter234]

I doordash sometimes and i havent been towed yet but after deliveries sometimes ill wait around the corner for the tow truck to come only to hop in and wave to them XD helps relieve the stress of stressful orders

[@lyeshiabailey7801]

My apartment complex has changed their parking rules over night and we now have a towing company that has been picking up cars daily in our complex and holding them with out releasing it just to rack up these fees. I’m in a situation now where the towing company told us what paperwork to bring in for the tow and now is changing their minds and making us jump through hoops every day just to rack up these fees and probably ultimately keep the car. The poilice will not do anything, it’s like we have no recourse at all. Seeking help

[@4775willy]

Sounds like an unregistered vehicle. Do you have the title? Is it in your name? What about insurance? I’m sure you wouldn’t hit your neighbors car and drive off like scum bc you can’t afford to drive yet still do. The car isn’t yours. And for reasons like that. I hope they keep it.

[@weeblordgaming6062]

Sue them for auto theft

[@AUDIO2AUTO]

Yes its called legal theft.

[@anthonylemkendorf3114]

The cops are in on it..

[@PTSulon]

They do this bad in Dallas TX and Memphis TN. Dallas was particularly awful. The tow companies would sell their services to low income or apartments in poorer neighborhoods and offer discounted eviction help for the contract. (They would work with a lawyer). Then the tow company would write all the rules to the tow agreement and of course they would tow cars for anything. If your registration sticker was out, or a tire was touching the line, or your tire pressure wasn't exactly what the dealer specified. People that would visit the apartments couldn't even leave their cars. The tow truck would be idling behind them. At night the tow company sent men to roam the parking lot with flashlights. It's the shady apartments that allow this too.

[@manuelmoraleda9684]

Robbery on the vulnerable and helpless. They should be exposed and punished.

[@sancheztv957]

I think we all can sue this company for doing this our property

[@rickcruz3382]

The tow companies should be concerned about PAYBACK

[@hobbyistanonymous1293]

My first wreck I was 16 and took it to a dealer near by for a quote. I got a call a couple of hours later and they told me a quote over the phone and I told them that I thought it sounded high and was coming to pick up my truck and they panicked telling me to give them a few hours. I knew something was wrong so I went up there immediately and when I got there I was dumbfounded. My truck was already completely disassembled. I through a fit and after an hour of threats they came down significantly on the cost, covered my deductible, replaced my whole bed even though one panel was hit. This was a big deal since the other panel had major damage from before I bought it. And they painted the whole truck and under carriage the color I wanted. I was proud at how well I handled the negotiations at such a young age, but the moral of the story is there are a ton of scammers out there looking to prey on the weak so stand your ground and never back down.

[@Hidingfrompeople]

Don't think too highly of yourself. There's "negotiating" and then there's catching someone with their pants down. What we have here is the latter.

[@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821]

if u dont authorize the work u dont pay a dime

[@AMERICANPATRIOT1945]

Why should it have to be specifically illegal to lie to someone about the true nature of one's business to be liable. It is time to pass a federal law which makes all dishonesty in business illegal and punishable by a minimum of five years in prison with no chance of parole for each offense, plus no right to be paid for the dishonest activity.

[@CoryMck]

The nature of all business is to make money. If you want to outlaw something that is immoral, you have to make a law that is as specific or general as need be.

[@calebcieslak4772]

I think the same thing when I see mechanic shops on these programs. The whole car towing and car repair business is corrupt

[@DonalDocRavioli]

This is only dragging out so long because city officials and police are making too much kickback to shut it down. What about the RICO Law, what do they think that's for?

[@photios4779]

"Tow companies listen for accidents on police scanners and then pounce." (1:27) This makes a good case for police scrambling/encrypting their scanner communications so that others can't listen in.

[@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821]

but then they wouldnt get their kickback from the tow co

[@IeeIee778]

@@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821 they don't get a kickback it goes to the state

[@idontreallyexist92]

I work for aaa and at times as I’m driving i come across lots of accidents .. my first thought is to make sure everyone is ok. Second I ask if they are aaa members. Third I ask if they have full coverage. If you have full coverage it’s best to use your insurance instead of your aaa membership. I ask what insurance they have and give them options to have their veh towed to their insurance approved body shop or to out tow yard for storage until their insurance picks up the veh. The driver is never asked to pay anything .. here is a tip. Only work with tow trucks that carry the aaa logo as we are their to help not to take your money. If they don’t have a aaa logo on their truck they are what we call in the industry bird doggers. They prey on people.

[@drakkar_night3346]

I told them, “I got no insurance” :/

[@michelleramsay]

I lost my van because this tow company the police called to STORE my van but they sold it. Watch out in the Newport Beach area those leaches are in the area

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

Storage fee's should be no more then a parking spot in a private parking area. I was in a car crash my car was totaled but the people who took my car away while the Ambulance was attending to my injuries didn't ask where to take it. They towed it to their lot and told me if I wanted my gun, my ADHD medicine, and my other property inside the car back I'd need to pay them more then $800 for the "storage fee's". They literally stole my Class 1 controlled substance medication and gun and the police did nothing about it after I reported them.

[@endcorruption4641]

What do you do when a CHP officers assists the predatory tow and tells you erroneously that your insurance company will reimburse you?

[@skid_rowranger8248]

Thank you NBC for this story. I am not sure of today but some years ago the LAPD Board of Commissioners req'd all tow companies who operated in the City to be licensed thru them. I wish you could run a longer story to educate consumers to be better educated regarding these crimes. One huge problem as to why these crimes still continue is there's not sufficient consequences to protect consumers. As far as BAR's Mathew Gibson mentioned, the consumer is still faced with a mess to sort out as the BAR will not represent a consumer to "make them whole" as the saying goes. The BAR will administratively go after the shop/tow company.

[@skid_rowranger8248]

And finally, the City of Los Angeles does have a Tow Truck Complaint Line: www.lapdonline.org/police_commission/content_basic_view/45711

[@seanodwyer5536]

that NoHollywood impound was busted for running car theft ring and having tow trucks bring them cars and truck comp paid for the call it was on the "news"day late and a 150k short

[@tahoetwin]

How are these tow trucks and their drivers even allowed to be on the road if they are associated with and doing illegal towing. they should be sited and lose any and all licenses (work or driving lic) and the vehicle.

[@justinmichael6477]

This happened to me. Just lost my car after getting hit by an uninsured driver.

[@Smokeyxz]

Sorry man

[@DarrenRockwell]

The only type of person who could work at a place like this is a narcissist/sociopath/psychopath. What is really sad is that there has to be government agencies to monitor tow and repair companies because they know that these type of people take advantage of others all of the time. What a nice world.

[@bukusmilezworld9948]

A idiot

[@randomvideoguy5277]

And that's why I always tell ppl how much the tow bill is going to be right up front before I even hook the vehicle up

[@cm5838]

Always call for a tow truck yourself, never let the cops call for one. Rotation tows are more expensive and usually take the car to their “storage yard” where they charge high rates. Most insurances will suggest body shops and tow companies. If not have it towed to your house until you get it figured out. Also in an accident where the car is unsafe to drive it should be towed on a flatbed.

[@TheSiriusEnigma]

More tips: - pre planed tows are cheaper, have them tow the car to a close location then use a pre planed tow to your chosen location. - If tow truck claim to be from your insurance… how does your insurance knows? - Ask the police. Seriously. What tow company and where to tow. Sometimes, to claim, the police needs to be the one calling the tow. - If the tow truck is onsite before the police, chances are the tow is predatory. Keep in mind that the police can only report what they see. If your car was removed when they arrives, they can’t report its condition. The exception to this is a tow reserved area. The tow company does have a tow on stand by and can get there first. The 911 operator will tell you.

[@seanodwyer5536]

this happened in every city especially La LAPD stole / towed my van conveniently while moving my snap on tool box filled with 150k of tools that i used for work , Working on cars !! all the people at the tow yard (north Hollywood) were cops everyone they only accepted cash cash only. I could only see the car and retrieve paperwork after i had the 600 . 24 hours later the 1500lb tool box mysteriously was now gone from the van. and the 600 was now over 900 these police officers stole my business when you buy tools most of them are on credit the tool truck extends to you at very low interest it took years to pay that off and having to buy new tools to make a dollar . The police are so wicked abusing power robbing people like them working people trying to be a decent citizen pay your bills and the cops come steal your work vehicle and your tools stealing tools is special kind of violence as it hurts the victim of the theft and it hurts that person's business effects the workers credit, family, his relationships in the community , etc. its violence! The police wield more power than any other public official with zero oversight the only comparable position of power is the tow=truck operator who can legally drive onto your property hook up your vehicle and take it and force you to pay a ransom to retrieve it one that in a short time will undervalue the car . there is no practical reason for such leverage to exist that isn't nefarious . 20 years after cops stealing my legal albeit unsightly work van changed my life still to this day I could never replace the tools stolen as it took over a decade to acquire them they are 3-4 times the price and would cost more than most average houses. 20 years later that tow yard theft ring was busted after I had tried to expose it and was just chastised and sent away? no cop stepped up out of thousands in LAPD not one officer had the decency to police the police "can't rat" that is the gospel of the criminal element why do cops cry the same song as cops? what are they ?

[@pjlaveus3964]

Anyone that profits off of misery will not go unpunished

[@ViburaBlanca]

I wouldn’t pay a dime someone would be held at gun point until I got my car back. Either that or I’m sabotaging the tow trucks

[@fredharvey2720]

This needs to be charged as grand theft auto

[@Thinker669]

My truck was smashed up in an accident. The cop called for the tow truck after she had my permission. The insurance company took care of the towing and I didn't get charged. My truck was totaled, it was gonna cost $5300 for bodywork and an additional $5000 for new suspension parts, clutch and transmission. I got $6300 for the truck and an additional $7000 from a court settlement.

[@crazyknarf]

I have AAA app and it's connected to another APP and If I get into an Accident, AAA is automatically called. Saves you money when you use an auto club. I would ask what insurance company called them before they even touch my car if it was in an accident. The most powerful word is "NO" You can refuse and tell them you have your own tow truck coming instead. Even if you do not.

[@benproffitt5957]

Fraud is a crime. Claiming to work for an insurance company when you don’t is a crime. Small claims will always 100% side with the victim.

[@lxro6130]

Why are they not in jail?? Lawsuit my azzzz.. put them in jail while they go to trial .. crooks

[@Elliven_X_Ghxsts]

When you break down or get involved in accidents, Local law enforcement will call any towing company on their rotation and depending on length of wait of tow another will be called

[@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821]

its whatever tow company is giving them the most donuts

[@joebedale5666]

Yay! Finally the police and people are standing up against this form of orgaized crime. Sue That Company!!!

[@ScaryBodyHorror]

I can't believe anyone would ever work for a tow company.

[@Pinkprincessdee90]

This happened to me . I don’t what to do . Someone help me please

[@IAMNOTAYOUTUBER]

Same company “inner city tow” in Pittsburgh did the same.

[@anthonylemkendorf3114]

We have this problem in San Clemente.

[@Wintercourse]

I had road side assistance once. I got stuck about 2 hours out in a rural areas so they said I had to wait 3 hours. I called the number and they relayed it. About 1 1/2 hours in someone came up with a winch and pulled me free of the mud. I had been contacted by the driver that they would be there in under an hour just before that happened. So I contacted the road side assistance because I couldn't get through and I found out that someone else had intercepted the number and had called me and the company the road side assistance had contacted never got the call. So basically a scammer was coming to get my car. Best part is, I saw them drive by about 5 mins after I got free. No money for you fucker! :D

[@jmack91]

2 guys almost got me like that in Florida, I said nah I’ll call my insurance company.

[@jtjtrs8806]

They should not be allowed to have police scanners

[@ponekingpetch3595]

This happens in Houston as well. Excellent and informative report.

[@dustin3904]

And here i am getting in trouble for disabling the hydraulics on a tow truck for trying to illegally tow mine. I didn't damage the truck, I just draned the hydraulic fluid. 😅

[@ohnoyoudint1407]

Carnes towing company of goose creek South Carolina does this and the police department does nothing about it!!!! They say it’s a civil matter they need to make a law against this!!!!

[@prism8289]

Look at Detroit. This was out of control. Three commissioners taking bribes, but they just made laws.

[@thangrom5795]

that not Predatory ...call stolen...

[@charlotterivera8490]

Huh why would a tow truck company show up and take it to their location? I thought they suppose to take it to the owners preferred location? Plus doesn't the vehicle owner place a call first?

[@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821]

did u watch the story

[@charlotterivera8490]

@@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821 I sure did and it's f*cked up how some people/company are. What's with the question?

[@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821]

@@charlotterivera8490 did u bother to watch this story

[@charlotterivera8490]

@@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821 Did you bother to comprehend my question? Wtf!!!!!

[@Bredddi]

The lesson folks? Get the hell out of hell. (CA). Get the hell out of the cities and go to towns where the rule of law exists and LE has the correct resources to investigate for the local population size.

[@jjoseph21212121]

You should investigate wilson towing in San Bernardino

[@smokingjoe9864]

Wilson towing has been around since 1950. First glance says they look straight. what happened.

[@Datacorrupter234]

Troll themmmmmmmm hahahahahah ps:youre friendly neihborhood delivery driver =D i love saying hi to towers only to discover im just chilling there after a delivery maybe theyl catch me one day

[@robertafierro5592]

They take advantage of people. Just like certain landlords..

[@kseemylackofego9473]

Not in Massachusetts anything goes, shady, corrupt......I need help thanks. It's ok I guess.

[@JordansWorld763]

Some of the things that are done are for the safety of the shop. Like disconnecting a battery before storage in the lot , is to prevent an electrical fire from occurring. Which obviously can destroy the building and EVERYONE else's vehicles being stored there .. The front bumper being removed may have been done to transport the vehicle safely. Stuff like that .... Like we charge to disconnect a battery after an accident.. whether you ask us to or not .but $250 is OUTRAGEOUS. we charge $50. .. Doesn't pay to be greedy .... 🤷‍♂️

[@jayr6777]

You don’t touch people’s property without asking. Storing and taking apart a vehicle are two different things.

[@frankcerbantes9429]

Those predators needs to stop they been stealing for too long

[@mrsjokerstout]

This is why I shopped around for a tow company in my area BEFORE something bad has happened. I think making sure you have your ducks in a row is a smart move to avoid these scams.

[@tellocossio8782]

Is there a petition to sign. I lost two cars to them. They gave me the run around so that they can sell both those 1st it was more Money what they made me go through then the car was worth even I had a police officer needed a car for the sun and I offered to give it to this officer and he cannot believe what they did to me he called the top place and when I got to the top place the guy was mad at me stating that I could not go and try to scare them thinking I was gonna get away with it but I was just trying to do something good for an officer and the officer gave up on it and just said he didn't want to deal with that Is there any place or anyone that is doing a petition to get these toll companies in jail for fraud?

[@american236]

It’s sad.

[@titovegas1861]

do some investigating on MR CS towing they are horrible

[@JV-pu8kx]

Imagine their response when I ask these LA crooks if they will be taking it to my preferred shop in Orange County. Virginia. They won't be touching my vehicle, unless Plaza Towing is on the side of their truck. (I've seen their videos.)

[@No_abe01]

Holding a car hostage isn't GTA? hmmmm...

[@robertbennett2796]

I ran out of gas in a deserted place and a tow truck showed up out of no where and i asked u with my insurance if not then leave

[@skyisblue4234]

Can you just ask them "tell me who my insurance company is"?

[@jackwinger7386]

Wow... that's crazy! An good to know

[@carlosavalo9052]

This in part is BS, most of police agencies have a towing company on rotation and only they can tow that vehicle that’s not drivable. They have a set price. At least here in the State of Florida that how they operate

[@robertafierro5592]

Been going on a LONG TIME!!

[@WolfHawk359]

At this point concealed carry 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻💁🏻‍♂️

[@smokingjoe9864]

You have to do it right though. Horse head in the bed. Saws-all and roman candles. Most of these tow companys are renegades with only 2 to 4 people.

[@MmmmmmmmmmmMm15]

Make all tow trucks illegal

[@smokingjoe9864]

Let the government take it over? Ya ok. Make it federal jobs with all the bennies. Federal bureau of towing. Already have to have a DOT number. might as well go full commie.

[@robjones1931]

Police are in it too with the tow company. They are corrupt and get a kickback.

[@smokingjoe9864]

I doubt it. unless it is a small town somewhere. Most thieves are one or two trucks with a couple guys. Chop shops and auto theives with a tow truck. They see a mark, like a single woman; no wedding ring, that looks like she has credit cards, has a decent vehicle, and swoops in.

[@Crayon3aterGaming]

Minus AAA and those that legit help people, the rest are bottom feeders

[@faybelle2991]

Be careful of 1-800-TOE-TRUCK

[@toboekey1273]

DONT LET ANY FUKKIN SCAMMER TOW YOUR FUKKIN CAR GET YOUR OWN OR CALL YOUR FUKKIN OWN TOW TRUCK 😐😐

[@darkzoneattractions1060]

You could have just told he tow no

[@toastecmo]

That's why I have AAA

[@supersidecar8901]

Read: Get Even and Get Even 2, by George Hayduke.

[@helpu2health]

The strip mall across from twin towers jail has spotters and if they see someone park there and walk to twin towers the tow truck will be ther within 1-2 minutes......

[@Airestotle09]

Unfortunately this roots to a human problem. EVERYBODY has bills to pay and many dont care how they earn the money as long as there able to pay the bills and live in peace. Regardless how others feel

[@angelguevara1418]

Tow trucks are the lowest of the scale.

[@giovannymazariegos3192]

AAA works with Autoproo!!!! it's a mafia Check

[@ignaciopineda7957]

Get aaa roadside assistance best service for your money

[@omarpineda625]

Tow the tow company vehicles,to STOP this BS,of THIS towing company is not Right

[@Critter0817]

LETS GOOO MATTHEW GIBBSON

[@448entertainment4]

Wreck chasing legal n pa

[@dsgcamo]

Shame

[@tashaogles8663]

Western Towing

[@ebrakeramires339]

Avoiding predator towing.. Dont park where you aint suppose to be...