"A vehicle parked in a privately owned parking space in violation of this section may be removed from such space upon the written request of the parking space owner or lessee to a place of storage and the registered owner of such motor vehicle shall become liable for removal and storage charges."
-NC. G.S. 20-219.2Page 1§ 20-219.2. Removal of unauthorized vehicles from private lots
In North Carolina it has long been against the law for towing companies to monitor parking lots and tow cars without first being directed to tow said car every single time.
Of course some towing companies will claim they have a signed contract with the business but there is no mention of any contract in state law.
Laws are very specific. It says a vehicle not vehicles. Therefore the signing of one contract cannot cover multiple vehicles.
I used to work for a reputable towing company here in Greensboro. We never towed any car without getting a signature first. It just isn't done. If we towed 10 vehicles then we had to get 10 signatures.
The way I hear it, Gotcha Towing & Recovery has been illegally towing cars for years. Gotcha Towing & Recovery has had more complaints at the Better Business Bureau® than most Greensboro towing companies have had in 20, 30, 40, 50 years or more in business combined. Seriously, check for yourself. Pick the name of any local towing company, search the BBB and not only do they tell you the complaints but they tell you how long the company has been in business.
The law also says:
"Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction and upon conviction shall be only penalized not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) in the discretion of the court."
Of course, you would also be due a refund of everything you paid to get your car back.
Check your receipt. Is there a signature there from someone who owns or works for the business from where your car was towed? If not then your car was towed illegally.
