Bandit Tow Truck Scams
Bandit tow truck will tow anyone away from business parking lots, even legitimate customers that have every right to park there.
"Bandit" tow truck operators are differentiated from legitimate tow operators in their practice of monitoring private parking lots in order to tow away vehicles whose owners are not patrons of the businesses associated with that lot. Often, the tow operators dismiss the fact that the car owner does patronize a business associated with the lot before going elsewhere.
Everyday, the Police Departments all over the country receive complaints from individuals who had their car towed out of a private parking lot when they "just went around the corner" for a cup of coffee or a newspaper, usually after patronizing a business associated with the parking lot. When the individual returns to their car, it is either gone or in the process of being towed. A large fee, which grows each day the car is held in an impound lot, is attached with this significant inconvenience.
Under most state laws, property owners have the right to remove cars from their private parking lots after the car has been parked there for more than one hour. The property owner, representative, or agent must be present at the scene of impound to sign the authorization. "Bandit" tow truck operators have interpreted this law in a way which is financially lucrative for their companies.
If you are a victim of a "bandit" tow truck operator, remember these facts: The tow truck operator does not have a legal lien on your vehicle until it is in transit on a public highway.
- If you car is already on the tow truck, but still in the parking lot, the tow operator can ask you for half of what an Official Police Garage would charge for towing.
- If you will not or cannot pay the requested amount, the issue becomes a civil matter, and the tow operator must release your vehicle.
- If the tow operator leaves the lot with your vehicle because you would not or could not pay the requested amount, the tow operator is in violation of many US State codes, which is taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.
Efforts are underway to legislatively amend Federal law to end this loophole in which "bandit" tow truck operators have been able to use to their advantage. Remember: Just because someone owns a Tow Truck it does not give them a license to steal your car! SOURCE ADS BY GOOGLE |
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