QuestionDear Sirs, I am single Mom of 3 children, we live in Philadelphia, Pa. I was given a car back in the beginning of September 2007 by my boyfriend, he passed away the end of September, we had the car transferred 9/1/2007, on or about 1/24/2007 I looked out at my car and seen it at approx. 10:30am, I was doing housework, I finished around 12:00pm, at that time I looked out my front window and noticed my car was gone, I immediately called the police to report it stolen, the police came out and I filed a report. About 15-20minutes later the same officer came to the door and he stated they had towed the car because of bad inspection sticker, expired 12/07, I explained I was waiting to get paid to get inspected, he said for me to go to American and Luzurne Street, so I called my girlfriend who works out of the police district and she spoke with a officer who said he never heard of them taking a car for that reason but to call neighborhood services, I called them they referred me to a tow company, and said my car was towed for bad registration, I explained my registration was good and transferred into my name 9/07 and I had pink slip to prove this, I took my pink slip and title to tow company they said not good enough and told me to go back to tag place and get card. I was told to wait a few days and someone would help me, well the person let me down and didn't help so I went to tag place they didn't have my card but had given me a affidiate stating the car was registered. So I went to car place with my title, license, insurance card, and registration information. They told me that that was just a piece of paper, I explained my car was legal and they said they crushed my car. I now have no car, and I am so upset because my son also left his ipod touch, and ninetendo DS in there. I don't know what to do. I am also in the medical field and I am unable to get to work, I need my car to travel to do studies on patients. Also everyone I speak with including the police department says they don't understand, they said I received a certified letter which I never did. I received nothing that they would crush my car. Nothing, please let me know if you've ever heard of this, what can I do? I even offered the police department for me to fax all my car info., they said no. Oh before I forget the tow place said the registration was the reason and I showed them the pink slip and everything. They said Oh well. Please help me and my little kids.
AnswerWell, after watching some of the new TV show "parking wars" from your home town I see a lot of problems there with towing vehicles... But from the sounds of this question it seems that it was a private tow company not the city owned one..
The tags - inspection sticker issue is one that I really have not encountered before on a personal side so I really do not know all the "ins and outs of them" but if you are not displaying them I do know that it kind of becomes a "money game" for the city.
I understand the "money crunch" issue you have with complying with the requirements, it is very common now with all the increased prices of needed living supplies..
As to crushing the vehicle, it sounds like the tow company is either wrong in what can be done under the law or they got confused in the paperwork... That does happen at times.
But as to how to handle this issue, I know you do not want to hear it but it will cost money... I would suggest that you contact a lawyer and see what they say can be done.. It (to me) sounds as if the tow company (even if it was the city towing department) has done a few things wrong by crushing the vehicle or you really do have a bigger time frame involved than I can see in the question...
As to the "certified letter" the last registered vehicle owner is who would be getting the letter at the address listed... If you moved then it "might not be forwarded" to you...
Again paperwork is proof and I hope you have great paperwork as it would be the key in the answers here.
