Towing Issues: How is my information obtained from towing?, letter combination, drivers seat

Question
I was illegally towed yesterday from a predatory towing scheme in downtown Raleigh, NC. I parked behind a building of the store I was shopping in. I was in the store less than 5 minutes and have a time stamped reciept. My car was gone. They had a mole/stooge in the corner of the parking lot that called his buddy around the corner to illegally tow my car. Only signs around said parking was for customers.. which i was. Question is: when i picked up my car they had all my personal information on thier form. My name, address, licence plate,VIN number, then they made me give them my drivers license (thus now have that number in addition to the debit card I made payment with). Where did they obtain all this info? I called police and they said they do not give that information out. What are my rights and who can i contact and report them to? I have already contacted BBB, attorney general, my city council, and my mayor.

Answer
Well I am not totally sure here on how they got all the information such as your name and address. They could of opened the vehicle and got the information from the registration or even from a letter which was able to be seen though the window. You would be amazed at how many people leave mail on the dash FACE UP...

Now as the the license plate, and VIN number, I really hate to say this, but your plates are on the vehicle front and back. Easy to read and get that information. And the VIN number is that 17 digit number - letter combination which is mounted to the left front dash right in front of the drivers seat. It is easy to read unless there is something covering it.

Now as to your drivers license information and numbers, they do that generally under the law requirements for establishing who owns the vehicle and who is picking it up. You would hate for me to just walk in and say I own your car and pay for it and drive away with it.

Your debit card, well they have to get a receipt which you sign and they do keep this information for a while as required to prove that you paid it and all that.

Now as to complaining about this, well you did start doing it, and as a tower I really hate to have people start complaining as it does create problems at times, with law makers who have no idea of how we do business and what requirements we have to follow.
This results in "KNEE JERK REACTIONS" in most cases where laws are changed and in most cases the new laws do not work. Or are not practical.

North Carolina has recently changed some of the laws regarding towing, and I have been trying to get the new laws but not had much luck right now. Of course this is also my busy time of the year.
I wish I could provide more specific information as to what the laws are for your area.