A tow truck company allegedly threatened to block a resident's driveway and dump their car back into a ditch over a $36 charge.
The resident and original poster (OP), Reddit user psl87, recounted the incident on r/pettyrevenge, explaining how their car had slid off their driveway into a nearby ditch.
When the OP contacted their insurance provider, they dispatched a local tow truck company, which successfully freed the car.
The OP confirmed with their insurance beforehand that the service was fully covered, and when the tow operator left without asking for payment, they assumed everything was settled.
Fifteen minutes later, however, the tow company's owner called, angrily demanding an additional $36 and saying their car wouldn't be released until it was paid.
The OP wrote, "I was confused because my car was parked in my driveway and the driver was long gone, so I said, 'My insurance says it's covered so please send an invoice and I can send that to them'.
"The owner started screaming at me, 'THATS NOT HOW THIS WORKS! YOU MUST PAY THE REMAINDER OR WE AREN'T LEAVING!!!" I was like, 'Uhhhh, your driver is gone...'
"[She screamed,] 'HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT! HE WILL COME BACK AND BLOCK YOUR DRIVEWAY UNTIL YOU PAY $36. YOU CHEAPSKATES MAKE ME SICK! HE WILL COME BACK AND PUT YOUR CAR BACK IN THE DITCH!'
"He must be invisible"
"At this point, I was kind of stunned and laughed at her and said, 'Sure, you come back and put my car in the ditch,' which made her so mad she hung up. A little bit later, I got a text with an invoice showing I owed an additional $125 for a waiting fee.
"I texted her back asking where the driver was waiting because my property was empty. She claimed that GPS and the dashcam proved he was in my driveway.
"I responded with, 'Well, he must be invisible because no one is here,' and she stopped responding. My insurance eventually agreed to pay the $36 balance."
Outraged by the experience, the OP left negative reviews on multiple platforms and reported the business to the Better Business Bureau.
In response, the company attempted to justify its actions, claiming the conversation had been "completely professional" and blaming the OP for not knowing about the balance due.
Reddit users quickly rallied behind the OP, offering advice and potential next steps. "Forward all this to your insurance," one user suggested. "If your insurer blacklists the tow company, it will cost them revenue."
Others encouraged the OP to contact AAA if the company was certified, as unethical practices could lead to revocation.
Double-Dipping
Several users speculated that the tow company was engaging in double-dipping, attempting to collect payment from both the insurance provider and the customer. "Given they got the money from the insurance company anyway, it sounds like they were trying to charge you both," one Redditor noted.
While predatory towing is not uncommon, many consumers are unaware of their rights. According to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, towing companies often charge excessive fees or refuse access to vehicles until payment is made.
In some states, regulations require an itemized bill, but enforcement is inconsistent.
A Fleet Owner report found that nearly 30 percent of tow invoices in some industries contained excessive charges, with some companies demanding "ransom payments" before releasing vehicles.
Newsweek has contacted psl87 comment via Reddit.
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