What Should Be Done About Unsavory Towing Practices?

[justin88]

My question involves towing laws for the State of: Massachusetts

I have a two part problem with a towing company in Allston, MA

Friday: The first part begins by me having a few of my friends over my new apartment and they parked behind my building in its parking area. They knew they weren't supposed to park here, but we kept watching so they would be able to move their cars(there were plenty of empty spaces, the lot is never full). When someone went outside to smoke a cigarette, he found a man wearing no uniform putting bars under one of my friends cars, and when he questioned the man he demanded $50 dollars right there or else it would be towed. My friend came in and got me as well as the owners of the car. We didn't believe he was a tow truck driver since there was no truck in site. We asked him to let us move the cars and he refused saying once again we had to pay him $50. We told him in not so kind words that this was not necessary. (I have already asked a local police officer and he says it is not the towing company until ' it is hooked up to the back of the truck). I believe what was happening to my friends and I was we were in a tow company scam, shakedown, what ever one would call it. He tried to go get his truck and block the car in the lot(the truck was out about 4 houses down double pulled over in the street, not in view unless you were in the street). My friend drove over the metal bars and out of the parking lot. When the tow truck driver realized this he ran back to the parking lot very unhappy. He tried ran straight at my friend and grabbed him by the neck, the driver being bigger than my friend, so my other friend ran over and punched him in the head/face to make him let go. The driver then said he was calling the cops, as I tried to calm everyone down. We tried explaining to him we should have been able to leave and even said we didnt want it to come down to this, and offered to help him pick up the pieces. He backed in his truck and picked it up, and tried blocking the second car in again. Eventually he gave up and let us out, and we returned to my apartment, about ten minutes later the police pulled in and sat for about 5 minutes and left without incident.

Saturday: Went by without incident. My mother was by around 4 pm dropping off my printer. When we were outside she pointed at my sticker and asked if she could get a temp for when she visits.

Sunday: I didn't leave my house til 7 pm and when I did, I found my car missing. I pay $100 dollars a month to my landlord for a parking pass, which has been on my car for 2 weeks already. My car had not moved in a couple days and I had not opened it. My car had been towed by the same company that I had a problem with. I called and they tried to get me to pay. They told me I had no sticker marks (which was a lie). I had to call my landlord and he had to call them to get my car released. When I went there, the same guy we had a problem with was there glaring at me. The receptionist told me not to give their drivers a hard time again, and I told her to tell him I apologize for the problems the evening before. Once I was in my car i went to a gas station and under the bright lights could see the sticker mark, where could the sticker be? It can't have just vanished. I suspect something fishy. They have the capabilities to break into my car. The driver was their waiting for me when I picked it up. Seems too much to all be such a coincident in a 2/3 day period. Plus my car had clearly been there, same spot for the whole weekend.



Please tell me what action I can or should take if any. These are not sound business practices, if you can even call them that. I think I have said every detail to give the whole picture accurately. Thanks for the help.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Consider small claims court.