Drivers left stranded with $165 tow bill after paying to park – then got revenge on ‘modern-day pirates’ yanking cars
Despite paying a parking fee, a driver’s car was towed, leaving him stranded.
Sam Marcrom described the towing problem as “predatory” after he and his spouse parked at a Pay to Park private lot in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, and his car was towed away.
He told ABC affiliate WBMA-LD, “I think it’s a commonly held concern this is happening at an alarming rate,”
Marcrom claimed that although they had paid for the parking place, his wife had inadvertently typed their tag number incorrectly.
“They were unwilling to refund our money, even though we had paid,” he stated.
Marcrom claimed that in order to have his car back, he had to pay a towing cost of $165.
Read more in The U.S. Sun
According to WBMA-LD, the problem has been present among vehicles using Paid to Park Lot since 2016.
‘BLACK EYE ON THE CITY’
The lots’ owner, Parking Enforcement Systems (PES), CRC2, as well as the lot manager, Robert L. Crooks Jr., are the targets of a recent class action lawsuit.
The lawsuit referred to the company’s tow trucks as “modern-day pirates” that engaged in “mafia-like collection practices.”
“PES has a community-wide reputation for bullying, demeaning, and being rude to the public, and PES effectively makes the public beg to get their vehicle back,” the complaint, which was filed in February, stated.
Additionally, PES compels the car’s owner to electronically “sign” and consent to terms and conditions that were never discussed or agreed upon during the original parking space leasing transaction.
“The type of predatory towing and mafia-like collection practices has been a black eye on the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County for over a decade.”
The complainant in the lawsuit, Michael Parrish, is urging an end to the purported corruption practice.
He told the publication, “We think we can stop this practice.”
Additionally, after entering the incorrect tag number, Parrish’s client had his car towed.
Parrish claimed that his customer was “compelled to sign extra terms and conditions on an electronic pad that he could not see” at the tow lot. It was late at night.
“What was on that pad in order to get his car back.”
According to the lawsuit, drivers are not properly informed about how to file complaints with the city or obtain receipts, and the cars are being kept prisoner.
Since 2013, this city has twice updated its ordinances. That doesn’t seem to be working, whether it is or not,” the lawyer continued.
Read More on The US Sun
According to WBMA-LD, the lawsuit is still pending in the legal system.
Parrish has been contacted for comment by the U.S. Sun.
What to do if your car is towed
Whether done correctly or not, getting a towed car back can be difficult.
There are a few procedures to follow if your car is towed after you parked in a “No Parking” area or for any other justifiable reason.
What to do if your automobile is being towed:
- Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
You can challenge the action by taking the following actions if you believe your car was wrongfully towed:
- Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
- Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
- Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: National General, Oregon Department of Justice, and Rak Law Firm
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