How to Avoid Predatory Towing Companies

What is Predatory Towing?

Most tow companies strive to operate with integrity, but there are some that take advantage of people who are vulnerable, and in a stressful situation. This falls under the category of predatory towing, which describes any instance in which a tow company uses illegal or unethical practices to increase their profits. Some predatory towing companies take advantage of people who have been in an accident, while others tow cars parked illegally, on a tip from a “spotter” they have positioned in the lot. Tow companies should be in the business of helping people, not maximizing their profits by tricking people.

How to Protect Yourself from Predatory Towing Practices

Of course, one way to keep your car from being towed is to be careful about where you park it. Read all signage before parking in an unfamiliar lot, to make sure you’re not parking illegally. If you’re in an accident, call your insurance company, and don’t let anyone tow your vehicle except the company sent by your insurance.

Avoid Unethical Towing with Predatory Towing Prevention Tips

Before you are in an accident, educate yourself on local ordinances regarding towing services. This can protect you against unscrupulous companies, and may save you expensive fees. Be careful about where you park, reading all signs carefully. Beware of any tow truck that suddenly appears at an accident scene, without being called. Further, know where you want your car towed, and don’t work with any tow service provider who insists that your vehicle be towed to a location you don’t choose.

What to Do if You’re Victimized: Predatory Towing Laws to Know

In South Carolina, there are laws against predatory towing. If your car is towed, and you believe the towing company is acting in an unscrupulous manner, know the laws that protect you.

• Only the police or property owners can have a vehicle towed. Law enforcement officers can have vehicles towed if they are abandoned or illegally parked on public roads. Business owners can authorize the removal of illegally parked vehicles, and this authorization must be in writing, so that it’s clear that the property owners or their representatives have requested the removal. Homeowners can request that unauthorized vehicles be removed from their property.
• Tow companies must be licensed and registered with the state. They are required to be registered with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Towing companies must comply with state regulations, and failure to do so can lead to legal and civil consequences.
• Property owners must post signage at every entrance to their lot, if they intend to have vehicles towed. Under South Carolina law, property owners must have clear signage before they request the towing of any unauthorized vehicles. These signs must warn that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense, and they must have the towing company’s name and contact information prominently displayed. Signs have to be positioned three to six feet above ground level with lettering that can be read from a reasonable distance away, and the signs must measure at least 12 inches by 18 inches.
• Towing charges must be reasonable. Towing charges must not exceed the industry standard, and the same rule applies to storage fees. However, if a vehicle is unclaimed, additional administrative and live processing fees can be charged. Note: tow companies must accept cash and major credit or debit cards, and must provide an itemized receipt of all charges.
• Vehicle owners must be notified promptly if their car is towed. Non-consensual tows must be reported to law enforcement within the hour, if the vehicle was on public property. If the tow is on private property, law enforcement must be notified within 24 hours. In either case, tow companies are required by law to send a written notice by certified mail to the registered owner of the vehicle and any lienholders. The notice must have not only the reason for the tow, but also the location of the impound lot and instructions for retrieval, including total fees owed.
• Personal belongings may be retrieved by a vehicle owner. If your vehicle is towed, you have the right to get your things out of it, even if you haven’t yet paid the tow charges. Even if you cannot pay the tow charges, the tow company cannot keep your belongings as collateral, unless they’re attached to the car, like a custom stereo system.
• There are penalties for predatory towing. If a towing company or property owner violates the towing laws in South Carolina, legal and financial consequences will apply. There are civil penalties for unauthorized towing, failing to provide notification, and charging excessive fines. These violations can mean fines, compensation for those affected, and even suspension of a business license. Fraudulent towing practices can have even more serious consequences. Actions like falsifying documentation or illegally removing vehicles can lead to fines, misdemeanor charges, and even jail time. What’s more, vehicle owners are entitled to file civil lawsuits against towing companies that use deceptive practices. In some cities, there are local enforcement measures that are even stronger.

How Can Hawkins Towing Help with Predatory Towing?

At Hawkins Towing, we believe in providing ethical service to all of our customers. We uphold the law, and believe that towing companies that don’t should face consequences. We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing towing services that are in line with state and local regulations. We encourage you to give us a call if you’re a business who wants to work with an above-board tow company, or if you need your vehicle towed.

No Matter When You Need a Tow, Trust Hawkins Towing for Ethical Service

Whenever you need a tow in South Carolina, day or night, Hawkins Towing will be here to help. Our fleet of state of the art towing and wrecker equipment is located in three areas of upstate SC, which means our team can be there to help quickly, no matter where you are or what you’re driving. Our family owned and operated business is fully licensed and insured, and each of our technicians is well trained and experienced in towing services. We know that needing a tow or roadside assistance means you’re in a stressful situation, and we will treat you with respect and courtesy as we work to make everything go as smoothly as possible. Having worked in this area for more than two decades, we’ve earned a reputation for providing reliable service, responding quickly, and being able to handle any situation. Contact us and let us know how we can help.