Iwonder if there is any connection with this. http://www.westphillylocal.com/2014/09/19/a-rogue-tow-truck-a-neighbors-tale -of-her-missing-car/#more-30710
On 12/9/14, 6:31 PM, "Kimm Tynan" <[email protected]> wrote: > http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/02/04/3-on-your-side-your-towing-rights- > in-philadelphia/ > > > > On 12/9/14, 10:36 AM, "Linda Lee" <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Awful! Definitely fight this! >> >> A friend of mine lives at 46th & Walnut and says a tow truck guy hangs out at >> that intersection all day, just waiting for someone to park 'illegally,' then >> hauls their vehicle away. I suspect this happens all over the city... -L >> >> >>> From: Veronika Lambert <[email protected]> >>> Date: December 9, 2014 9:47:06 AM EST >>> To: Clark Park Tot Lot <[email protected]> >>> Subject: Possible scam/fraud in neighborhood - Lew Blum Towing - Beware! >>> Dear neighbors, >>> >>> One of our renters who lives on 45th & Pine recently moved here from >>> Washington State for a research position at Penn and had a very unpleasant >>> experience with Lew Blum Towing. She hasn't been able to change her license >>> and plates to PA yet, so isn't eligible for a permit and parks where legally >>> possible. >>> >>> I know it might seem long to read, but please take a moment. >>> >>> I never heard of this happening before, but wanted to share with everyone so >>> you are aware; especially during the holidays with out-of-town guests. It >>> may be that the towing company is only targeting non-PA plates, but it's not >>> certain. Posts online suggest they are not the most upstanding/reputable >>> company, which is sad considering their signs are posted all around the >>> neighborhood. Perhaps we should keep an eye on them and reconsider giving >>> them business. >>> >>> The following was written by Lisa and sent to the President of Spruce Hill. >>> I also suggested she send it to UCD. If anyone has any other suggestions how >>> to possibly get her money refunded and more importantly to stop something >>> like this from happening again, please let us know. (Lisa is cc'd on this >>> email). >>> >>> "On Tuesday, my boyfriend parked my car on Osage, near 46th St, where it is >>> legal to park without a permit. I do not drive the car to work, so it wasn't >>> until Saturday that I realized the car was missing. I called the police to >>> tell them it was stolen. They came to my house, and within a few minutes >>> had gotten word that the car had been towed. They told me they couldn't >>> tell me why it had been towed, just gave me the address of where to get it: >>> Lew Blum Towing. When I went to get it, I paid nearly $300 ($175 for the >>> tow, $100 for 4 days of storage, and $20 for a nondescript charge). In cash >>> because they refused my credit card. When I received the 'paperwork' from >>> them, it said my car had been towed from an address in Old City. I've never >>> even been to Old City! When I told them there must be a mistake and asked >>> for photos, they produced printed photographs of my car at a location I do >>> not recognize. In the photo, there are HUGE signs saying it is a tow zone. >>> Not wanting to argue because the place is really scary, I left with my car. >>> There is no sign my car had been stolen and left at that location-- the car >>> is completely fine-- no sign of break-in, dashboard, radio, ignition all >>> fine, full tank of gas in the car, money still in the glove box for tolls, >>> everything intact just as I had left it. >>> >>> What I am saying is they towed my car from a legal spot, took photos of it >>> somewhere illegal, and required me to pay to get it back. I'm not a lawyer, >>> but basically, that's at least stolen vehicle, fraud, and extortion. >>> >>> I called the police when I came home. A very sympathetic policeman took my >>> story down and said he would personally make sure a detective got the >>> information. He could not promise I would hear from the detective, I'm not >>> even entirely sure it got written up as an actual report. He mentioned that >>> tow trucks in the city are 'out of control' and that the police have been >>> told if they see tow trucks towing from the city streets to stop them and >>> ask them to produce paperwork. Right now, there is no law saying there >>> needs to be a ticket from an officer for the them to tow. They can just >>> take it. He also said I may have been targeted because I currently still >>> have out-of-state plates". >>> >>> I suggested that Lisa contact the owner of Lew Blum towing, but she's a bit >>> shaken-up by the whole experience and rather not at this time. She plans to >>> write to James Keeney, a council member who seems to care about this issue, >>> and the state attorney general. >>> >>> It's really a shame that things like this happen; especially to someone who >>> is new to the neighborhood. >>> >>> Thank you for reading and for any suggestions how to help stop this from >>> happening again. >>> >>> Kind regards, >>> Veronika >>> >> > > All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. > - Gandalf > All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. - Gandalf
