Towing Issues: Tow from Apartment complex missing sticker, fairfax county virginia, towing companies

Question
QUESTION: My car was recently towed from my apartment complex while I was out of town. My registration was paid and my stickers arrived the day before I was leaving town (3/4). I did not have time to attach the stickers before I left. My car was towed later the day I left (3/5). I live in Fairfax County, Virginia. I know it is a technicality, but my tags were valid (ie not expired), they just didn't have the sticker attached. Was this a legal tow? Can I recover costs/damages?

ANSWER: Unfortunately the towing company had no way of knowing that you had been issued your new stickers. Did the complex have it towed or was it patrolled by the towing company?

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QUESTION: To say they had "no way of knowing" I had been issued my new stickers is not true. A simple phone call to the DMV would have revealed my paid status. How much effort does it take to make the call and everyone carries a cell phone these days.  All they saw was $$$ and not requiring them to make a minimal effort to verify is predatory. Why don't laws require them to call first? I don't know if the complex ordered it or if it was a patrol thing, I'll need to check that out.

Answer
You may also want to check with the PD in many states towing companies are required to notify the local PD anytime they tow a vehicle. In most cases towing companies are not allowed to request tag information. It is against the law unless they are trying to notify owners and lien holders before applying for abandoned titles.