Bronx, NY – After a series of incidents in the Northwest Bronx, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D- Bronx) is once again warning the community of unscrupulous towing practices. Recently, the Assemblyman’s office has received several complaints about cars being unfairly towed from private ‘customers only’ parking lots, leaving local shoppers in compromising situations and subject to predatory towing practices.

In many instances, a consumer will park in a private ‘customers only’ parking lot to go shopping, only to find their car has been, or is about to be, towed if they’re not in the area. But some towing companies will hook up a car to their trucks even if the motorist is still shopping nearby, and then try to extort higher fees than what is legally permitted by the city.

“It is despicable that towing companies are preying on people like this,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said. “When people are put in the position of being told to either pay an outrageous fee, or see their car taken away from them it is easy to forget that you have rights in these situations.”

According to city law, if a car is about to be towed from a private lot, the drop fee for unhooking a car is $62.50; and if you’ve been towed, the fee is $125 for the towing and $25 per day for the first three days of storage. Also, tow companies must accept at least two major credit cards, and are not permitted under any circumstances to demand cash.

“Predatory practices like these hurt not only the shoppers, but local businesses as well. If customers can’t park without fear of being towed they will be forced to take their business elsewhere,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “I strongly encourage consumers to be cautious in where they park, and always be aware of their rights. Moreover, any business with a private ‘customers only’ parking lot should have appropriate signage posted at the entrance and exit of their lots so as to properly inform their customers.”

The Assemblyman also added that “if you are ever in the unfortunate situation where you need your car towed, you should always check with the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs to make sure the company you’re using is licensed, and if you are ever in an accident, only use the tow company contacted for you by the NYPD.”