Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Tow company sticking it to me!

Last year I was pulled over by CHP in Lake County, CA. I wasn't wearing my seat belt. I found out then my license was suspended at that time for failure to pay fine. My car was impounded. I called tow company about 10 days later to see how much it was gonna cost to get vehicle back. It was a huge fee and I only paid 200 for the car. I offered to give them the title and said I cant afford to pay. They declined. I tried 1 more time to give title to them. No go! 8 months later,I'm contacted and advised to pay $8000 or my wages would be garnished. I laughed! I responed and mentioned the fact that I couldn't pay the first time, how can I pay $8000. I did offer title to them. Now I just recieved a bill from a collection agency for $10197 for storage. How can they do this? Where is the line drawn? Can they keep a car for 2,3,4 years and then bill the owner for storage. Is that possible? $10000 for a $200 car that I offerd the title to and I was willing to pay original tow fee and 30 days storage. Now my credit is threatened and their gonna garnish my wages. Who regulates this stuff and what are my options. Please help, I'm a single father in crisis. Thanks for your time.


Asked on 7/23/06, 5:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Re: Tow company sticking it to me!

It sounds to me like an unfair business practice. They should have sold off the car in a reasonable time and charged you for the difference, if any. You might complain to the consumer affairs dept. of the state attorney general's office, or even to an ombudsman at your city hall for assistance. I agree that the charges are way out of control.

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Answered on 7/23/06, 5:37 pm


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