CBS 2 Catches Lincoln Towing Overcharging
Does anyone really like Lincoln Towing?
The infamous towing company isn’t a popular company to deal with. Mainly because they’ve just hauled off your car from most likely a place you were not supposed to park.
This time around, CBS 2 catches Lincoln Towing (and a few other towing companies) not towing illegally, but overcharging for the tows.
It seems the Illinois Commerce Commission allowed towing companies statewide to increase the fees they charge from $170 to just under $200 this past December.
The problem for a handful of towed drivers is the signs posted from where they were towed listed $170 as the price for the tow. So, when they got to the cashier’s window and were asked to pay close to $200–they got upset.
According to the ICC, if even one sign on the lot has a lower fee, the towed driver can only be charged the lower rate–not the higher one. It’s up to the tow companies to keep their signs up to date.
Here’s CBS 2′s full report, “Some Towing Companies Charging Drivers Too Much.”
GEEK TIP: Don’t park where you shouldn’t. Read the signs so you don’t get towed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=389Rk1jzPMk
I got a question about that video. How is that person qualified to have a handicap placard for his card?
Until the ICC gets a clue and actually Regulates more than just the Fee’s on these *ucke*s…
The irony is that most lots are located in areas of the City where you wouldn’t want to go to by yourself without a Gun.
And these guys that work for these companies are all south and southwest siders that can’t seem to get a honest job.
A1 City Wide Towing: 1716 S Western Avenue
Lincoln Towing : 4601 W. Armitage
Global Parking Management : 6666 N. Western Avenue
Just to name the worst.
Do not park in Any Lot Managed by these three companies: your car is most likely to be gone before you get back even if you paid. Call a Police Officer of Sgt Rank or Higher And call the ICC Police @ : (847) 294-4326
I haven’t heard the Lincoln Park Pirate’s song in a long time. Thanks for the memories.
“The irony is that most lots are located in areas of the City where you wouldn’t want to go to by yourself without a Gun.”
DoR – you’re quite wrong on this. There are plenty of lots managed by Lincoln and others throughout Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown, Wicker Park, etc. Usually in small lots behind buildings that are accessible from the alley.
CBS’s next expose should be about the amount of money these sleazebag towing companies funnel to city officials. No way could anyone get away with this kind of shit in Crook County without paying their “street tax”.
What about paying state sales taxes? My car was towed by Lincoln Towing and the receipt does not list how much tax was paid on it. The towing signs do not state ‘taxes included’. The sign posted in Lincoln Towing office on Clark Street does not list any tax information on it nor do they say that tax is included in the price of the tow. If the “private lots” collect any money from the towing, are they paying taxes on their portion? If people pay cash to collect their vehicle how is this reported to the IRS if it is not reported on the receipts that are given out?
Robert,
I honestly don’t know the answer to your question.
Contact the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP). They would know the answer as they are the main city agency regulating towing companies.