A pair of tow truck firms are beneath investigation for alleged “predatory business practices” in Hamilton, police say.
The Hamilton Police Service says the companies, referred to as A.T Collision and Legacy Towing, each function out of 510 Cannon Road East.
Investigators say the 2 firms have been working collectively, exhibiting up on the scene of crashes and carting automobiles off to a storage lot.
And a few homeowners have had issue getting their rides again with the storage firm charging excessive fess, basically holding the automobiles ransom.
INsauga.com’s makes an attempt to contact A.T Collision have been unsuccessful, and a telephone quantity for Legacy Towing discovered on-line is disconnected. A web based itemizing states Legacy Towing is “permanently closed.”
Investigators say anybody who has had their car taken by A.T Collision or is presently being held by the corporate to contact police.
Officers are additionally reminding drivers of their rights when concerned in a collision.
Until initiated by the police or an “authorized official,” tow firms want consent from the motive force to tow your car, the province says. As soon as towed and saved, you or an individual performing on behalf can entry the car until in any other case directed by police.
The charges for towing and storage companies should even be given to you earlier than a tow firm supplies companies, and charges have to be posted at their workplace or administrative center, web site if obtainable, and on the location the place your car is saved.
In June 2020, the province established a towing process drive to extend security and enforcement whereas bettering trade requirements in response to “concerns about violence and criminal activity in the industry.”
Ontario’s new Towing and Storage Security Enforcement Act (TSSEA) got here into impact this yr with a brand new provincial program for the towing and car storage trade, taking management of oversight and licensing from particular person municipalities.
If you happen to want a tow truck whereas driving on the 401 you may name 511 for a tow truck by means of the province’s Tow Zone pilot mission, or dial *OPP for service elsewhere in Ontario.
Anybody with details about these incidents can contact the Hamilton Police Service by calling 1-888-310-1122. Nameless ideas might also be supplied to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Whenever you contact Crime Stoppers you keep nameless, by no means must testify, and will obtain a $2,000 reward.
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