Well here goes my story: Pulled into an empty parking lot in New Brunswick, NJ at around 10pm. Got out and looked all around for signs that said, "no parking except by patron", "private parking lot", basically anything sign that would differentiate it from any other Rutgers university owned or public lot (this lot was not adjacent to any business.) After surveying the entire lot and not finding any signs, I left my car in a spot (there were no parking meters either.) Come back to my spot at 1:15am and my cars gone. I had to call the police to find out where it was, due to the lack of signage. The police gave me the phone number of the towing company. I called them and they said they were closed for the night and to come back the next day. When I finally got there the next day they wanted $125 to get my car back. I went back to the lot and took pictures to prove that there were no signs, incase I can take them or the owner of the lot to small claims. Can they tow a car from a lot where there is no sign stating that it was private property and that towing would be enforced?

 

You would think not... I'd fight that $hit...

 

I don't think you need a sign to tow a car that is parked on private property without the owners consent.

 

it all depends on where and what kind of lot you parked in...

you need to find the owner and verify that he filed the complaint/requested the tow...

if the tow company just picked up your ride without the owner complaint, you might have a case...

a lawyer will cost you more than 125... so i guess you're out of luck.... as long as no damage was done...

now if your z got damaged due to improper towing, that's another issue...

there was an article once about towing companies picking up cars in lots without a complaint as a way to make money just because they know you don't usually park there/belong... and that is borderline illegal... check your local laws...

 

Ok let me help you as I manage a impound yard...

1. Proper Signage must be visable at all times on the property
2. Only the property owner can call to have a vehicle removed from the propery and we also take down the license of the person calling the tow and must be present when towing.
3. The car must have got some type of notice stating not to park at the location prior to removal and after notice the vehicle can not be removed till 72 hrs after notification.

so if there was no signage on the propery and they towed it away without any consent and this is illegal to do. I would fight this and make them show you who called them to tow this car away and also find out how they towed here away and a flatbed is the way to go and NOT a wheel lift. I would check your exhaust tips to make sure they did not drag your car and scratch the tips. It seems you have been a victim of what is called PREDATORY TOWING and it is illegal to do and in some cases not all in California considered a FELONY....find out bro since this seems kinda fishy. Let me know how this turns out and I will look more into this for you......Ed

Also found one of our PPI forms ( private property impound ) and it states

(I acknowledge that should a owner of this vehicle request it a copy of this form will be offered )
So they have to show you who reqested the tow but this is a form which pertains to CA vehicle code not Jerse so check your local laws

 

What lot was it? What road/intersection? I live in the area and it happened to a friend of a friend.

 

yeah that's the term... predatory towing... there was an article on that a while back...

they pay people for tips on out of state cars or cars that obviously don't usually park in a place and tow it...

most people pay up coz it's too much trouble... but get police involved as technically they stole your vehicle... without just cause

 

The Police recently cracked down on this after a car was towed away with a toddler in the back seat and also someone who chased a tow truck and was pulled under the rear wheels of the tow truck. The R/O ( registered owner ) of the truck died from injuries sustained from being run over. Now we have to follow the guidelines I posted above before we even touch the vehicle.

 

My car was alone in the lot (it wasnt my Z by the way.) It was the lot across the street from the funeral home on easton ave. When I talked to the police that night they insisted that that no signage was necessary. Im going to research some new brunswick ordinances to see if I can find anything. Any advice on how to go about researching this?

 

There has been to some sort of signs on the property but it may be different in Jersey ...