NYC Tow Companies Ordered to Pay $66,500 in Refunds for Overcharging Drivers
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is forcing two towing companies to issue refunds after finding they defrauded car owners by overcharging, demanding cash, and failing to keep proper records.
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is forcing two towing companies to issue refunds after finding they defrauded car owners by overcharging, demanding cash, and failing to keep proper records.
· Updated
New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has ordered Breen Bros Towing and Daniyyel Towing to issue a total of $66,500 in refunds to drivers they allegedly defrauded. The Staten Island-based Breen Bros Towing and Brooklyn-based Daniyyel Towing are accused of routinely overcharging customers, demanding payment in cash, and not maintaining accurate transaction records.
These companies are licensed to tow vehicles that obstruct driveways or are parked illegally in private lots. Drivers whose cars are towed in such situations must retrieve them from tow yards, where companies can allegedly exploit their urgency by imposing inflated storage fees and other illegitimate charges.
Breen Bros Towing admitted to 250 violations related to record-keeping, including providing customers with fake or blank receipts. Daniyyel Towing was found to have committed 385 similar violations, including overcharging drivers. As a result, Breen Bros must provide $46,500 in refunds, and an additional $20,000 will be made available for victims of Daniyyel Towing later this fall.
DCWP Commissioner Samuel Levine stated that the restitution funds are a direct benefit to those who were overcharged. The agency is committed to holding other companies accountable for similar practices. Consumers who believe they are owed money from these settlements can file a claim with the city.
FAQ
Which towing companies are involved in the refund order?
Breen Bros Towing and Daniyyel Towing have been ordered to issue refunds.
What were the main accusations against the towing companies?
The companies were accused of overcharging drivers, demanding cash payments, and failing to keep proper records of their transactions.