We are sick of Crow Tow! This company steals people's cars and holds them ransom for hundreds of dollars. 

THE PROBLEM:

Crow Tow has contracts with private properties all over polk county and he pays some of these properties kickbacks for the vehicles he tows from their property. Crow Tow's drivers are also paid a bonus for every car they tow in off private contracts.

WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM?

Crow Tow is towing vehicles from parking spaces that aren't clearly marked. Many people who fall victim to Crow Tow's predatory towing practices had NO idea that they were parking in a place that was at risk of being towed. There are intentional tow traps at some of these more scrupulous apartment complexes that are designed to intentionally lure people into parking in them just so they can be towed and charged hundreds of dollars to get their car back.

The kickbacks also encourages the property management companies and mobile home parks to create arbitrary rules that at first glance might appear to be reasonable but in reality are only increasing the number of vehicles that can be towed.

Some of the rules that are used:

• blade of grass touching tire- if one single blade of grass is touching the tire, this gives Crow Tow the right to take the car
• expired tags- if your vehicle tags are missing or expired your car will be towed, regardless of whether they are actually expired (if you forget to put the sticker on or sticker is in mail it doesn't matter you will be towed) Iowa law grants us a 30 day period to renew our tags but Crow Tow does not
• parking on street - without exceptions! You are not allowed to leave your vehicle unattended on the street in front of your property. This makes it impossible to assist elderly or disabled children in the home. Many people are towed in less than 10 min after parking on the street. This includes food delivery drivers
• parking permits - This is a huge one! Many property management companies require a special parking permit that must be displayed in specific location, even if you display the permit so that it can be clearly be seen, if it is not in the assigned position determined by the proerty management company, you will be towed. Often times the parking permits are required at complexes that do not have an actual problem with unathorized parking. There purpose is to steal vehicles and hold them ransom until the high fees are paid- providing kickback to property management and bonus to tow driver for each car towed
• flat tire, cracked windshield, or any vehicle that detracts from the overall appearance of the property - This prevents people from being able to fix their vehicles in their drives and only increases their financial burden to not only fix their vehicle but then also pay the high fees that Crow Tow charges
• These companies also will occasionally do rezoning of parking spaces- where they change the parking spaces to the opposite of what they were and will tow many vehicles from the property at 6 AM if they are parked in one of the newly restricted places. Tenants complain that they aren't being given adequate notice or in some cases no notice at all of the changes.

THE SOLUTION:

We are asking Iowa Legislators to enact Anti-Predatory Towing Laws to protect Iowa drivers and visitors to Iowa from predatory towing companies.

What is Predatory Towing?

Predatory Towing is generally defined as a situation where a towing company engages in unethical or illegal practices to exploit individuals, often in vulnerable situations, by charging excessive fees, illegally seizing assets, damaging vehicles, or withholding the release of property. This can include situations where a tow truck lacks proper authority or consent, bills contain unnecessary or exorbitant charges, or the company acts beyond the scope of its contract. 
 

Crow Tow is a Predator towing company who uses intentional tow traps (with little to no signs posted marking the spot as restricted), damages vehicles, withholds personal items from towed vehicles, steals personal items from vehicles, forces people to pay cash-circumventing the insurance process, fails to properly notify original owner of the vehicle of the upcoming auction (removing their chance to pay the towing and impound fees and have car returned), and charges excessive rates (requiring cash, not accepting cards). 

WHAT LAWS ARE WE ASKING BE CONSIDERED:

These simple laws would protect Iowans and provide recourse if a towing company breaks the law. There is no way to contest the legality of a tow currently. 

Anti-Predatory Towing Laws (that most states already have):

One hour minimum- Many predatory towing companies employ “spotters” to watch spaces and call a tow truck as soon as someone parks illegally. Laws counter this practice by requiring that you must be illegally parked for up to an hour before you can be towed. (unless blocking entrance or exits, fire hydrants, etc)

Unconditional release- If you return to your car before it has been removed, the tow operator must release it to you.

Clear warning signs are required- The space in question must clearly be marked as a no-parking, resident only, or some other limitation. Without clear signage, you may not be towed. Tower must have written consent from property owner or his agent who must have waited one hour before calling for the tow. People should know they are at risk of being towed.

Valid towing permit required- Tower must have valid motor carrier permit and shall make all records and photographs of each tow available for law enforcement.

No profit sharing- The towing company may not pay anybody else, such as spotters or the parking lot owner, any type of fee for contacting them to tow a car.

Credit cards accepted.

Reasonable towing and storage rates. These laws often set limits for the amount that the operators may charge as towing and storage fees. If the company exceeds a reasonable limit with its fees than the company may be required to pay a penalty

Penalty for Excessive Charges - Consumers who can prove they were charged illegal or excessive towing or storage charges are entitled to 4x the amount charged in small claims court.

Fines - $2500 fine, civil misdemeanor and/or 3 mo in jail for any towers caught breaking the law

Don't forget to READ THE UPDATES on this petition.

But more importantly: Please comment on the petition if you have been a victim to a predatory towing company- tell us the name of the company and share your story.

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE SHARE THE PETITION!