CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte towing company is charging vehicle owners an extra $200 fee when police are called to towing disputes, prompting an investigation by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s office.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department clarified that it has no affiliation with the fee and does not permit any business to charge customers for calling law enforcement.
The company, His and Her Towing, displays a sign outside its towing yard on Gulf Drive warning that CMPD assistance will result in an additional $200 inconvenience fee.
Police officials stressed that calling 911 is a free service and encouraged members of the public to contact officers whenever urgent help is needed.
The dispute arose after a driver visiting a friend had their car towed by His and Her Towing. The car owner admitted the vehicle was parked illegally.
When the situation escalated and the tow truck driver began dragging the car away, the driver and his friend called police for help. Upon receiving the receipt, they discovered a $200 charge labeled as a CMPD assistance fee.
The owner of His and Her Towing defended the charge during a phone call, stating that vehicle owners frequently call law enforcement in an attempt to get their vehicles returned without paying.
She said the fee covers the additional time tow drivers spend dealing with police officers, which prevents them from responding to other towing jobs.
Legal experts said such charges raise significant consumer protection questions. Action 9 Attorney Jason Stoogenke evaluated the business practice and noted that consumers may have legal recourse.
“You should never feel intimidated into not calling the police. So can the business charge the fee? Maybe. But can you challenge that legally? Probably also,” Stoogenke said.
In an official statement, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department clarified its position regarding the fee. The department stated it has no contracts, memorandums of understanding or agreements allowing any business, organization or individual to charge a fee when someone contacts police.
Department officials reiterated that CMPD never charges a fee for 911 calls and urged the public to call immediately during emergencies or urgent situations.
The practice is part of a broader pattern of towing complaints in the region. Channel 9 previously investigated allegations against another local company, Tow Godz, where a car owner claimed the price rose from $375 to $475 after she asked questions about the bill.
State lawmakers in Raleigh have proposed new legislation to address predatory towing practices across North Carolina. The proposed measure would require property signs to list the towing company name, vehicle retrieval location and maximum fee limits.
It would also mandate state permits for towing operators and establish a state database to track towing jobs, completed work, and consumer costs.
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