George Smith Towing Fined Thousands For Illegal Tows: AG's Office

PHILADELPHIA – George Smith Towing in Philadelphia was hit with thousands of dollars in fines for illegally towing cars in various locations around Philadelphia, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Shapiro's office announced the fines, which were the result of a case filed against the company by 28 people, Monday in Southwest Philadelphia at a press conference.

According to the AG's Bureau of Consumer Protection, George Smith Towing, of South 61st Street in Philadelphia, and owner Anthony D’Angelo, violated Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, the Towing and Towing Storage Facility Standards Act, and Philadelphia’s towing ordinance

The 28 people who were part of the case will each get $205 in restitution, which comes to $5,756 total. The company will also pay $5,000 in civil penalties and $3,000 for the cost of the investigation. Overall, the settlement amounts to $13,756 in fines to the company.

"Parking in the city is hard enough without the threat of your car being illegally towed," Shapiro said. "This settlement is about protecting consumers from illegal conduct – and getting them restitution. We’ll fight for every consumer who files a complaint with our office."

At the press conference Monday, one consumer – who was towed from a North Philadelphia lot after being parked for only 10 minutes – told her story.

Meredith Cohen, a Temple University student whose car was towed last October, said she did not see any signs warning consumers of the risk of being towed.

When she attempted to retrieve her car from George Smith Towing, a worker at the lot informed her that the credit card machine was "broken" and she would have to pay in cash.

"I was outraged when I learned my car had been towed after being parked only 10 minutes," she said. “I thought there was no way to ever get my money back. But Attorney General Shapiro held this business accountable. I’m grateful his Bureau of Consumer Protection was able to get me a full refund."

The Bureau of Consumer Protection investigation revealed that in some instances, George Smith Towing and its owner:

• failed to accept credit cards;
  
• towed vehicles where signs were not clearly displayed;
  
• did not notify police prior to towing a vehicle;
  
• failed to take and maintain photographs of the violation prior to towing a vehicle;
  
• charged vehicle owners more than the lawful amount;
  
• towed vehicles that were not illegally parked from public streets;
  
• and failed to obtain written permission from property owners prior to towing from, or in front of, the owner’s property.

George Smith Towing and its owner have also agreed they will not violate Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law or any towing laws in the future.

"We believe there may be additional victims of this towing scam," Shapiro said. "If you believe you’ve been harmed, I want you to call my Bureau of Consumer Protection or email us before the April 29 deadline to file a complaint."

The Bureau of Consumer Protection phone number is 1-800-441-2555, while the email is scams@attorneygeneral.gov. Consumers can also submit a complaint online here.

The settlement, called an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, has been filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court by Senior Deputy Attorney Saverio P. Mirarchi.

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