FOX13 Investigates: Complaints of wrongful towing in Memphis (2024)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Several drivers reached out to FOX13 News about their frustration with PB&J Towing, based in downtown Memphis.

Tasanta Jones said , “People of Memphis. It needs to stop. You are towing cars and you know you are towing these cars illegally.”

Jones is a single mother with two children. The family lives in the FP Apartments in Victorian Village. As she was leaving to go to the store two months ago, she noticed her car was missing.

“I called 911. I thought someone had stole it. The operator said ‘No, ma’am. Your car has been towed.’ ‘Towed? For what reason?’” Jones questioned.

In the parking lot of Jones' apartment, red and white PB&J towing signs are scattered on the walls that read “’Permit parking only. All visitors park on street. Any violator will be towed at owner's expense.’”

FP Apartments Property Manager Pam Mason told FOX13 residents do not need a permit for parking. Mason said she did not give PB&J Towing authorization to remove Jones’ car.

Mason said, “I felt like PB&J, they towed the cars. They knew it was a mistake but they could have bought them back. They had to get rides to go get their car that was towed illegally.”

After missing work for a week with no car to drive, Tasanta Jones lost her job.

“Can’t go to work. Can’t get my kids to school. Can’t get my kids to the doctor if they had to go. I can’t do anything and this is supposed to be okay?”

Jones is among the hundreds of people expressing their frustration with PB&J Towing. We checkedGoogle reviews, where we found nearly 250 reviews of PB&J. The overall rating is 1.5 out of five stars. 10% of Google reviewers gave PB&J a good rating.

Driver Natasha Day said she's taking legal action against PB&J Towing.

“They said they towed my car because I did not have a parking sticker on my window. I proceeded to tell them, 'It’s there.'”

It is mandatory for residents at Day’s apartment complex to have a parking sticker on their vehicle or else they’ll be towed. Day's car has a blue parking sticker from PB&J located right on the rearview mirror. Day said, “You can't miss it.”

We reached out to PB&J to ask about the complaints. A worker said the owner won't do interviews and referred us to theBetter Business Bureau pageabout PB&J. The BBB gives PB&J a "B" rating. The agency says the company is responsive to complaints.

Frequently, PB&J responds that online BBB complainants have not provided enough information for a full response. In many cases, the company responds with messages similar to, "PB&J merely enforces those rules and regulations as dictated by those who create them."

FOX13 looked up theMemphis ordinanceson towing. Among the rules you should know:

-The City requires tow companies to have express written authorization to legally tow a car.

-Tow companies must also keep signed copies of any agreements with property owners for towing.

-Tow drivers are supposed notify police if they tow someone's car without consent.

-The ordinance lays out maximum fees tow companies can charge: $30 per day for storage and a maximum of $125 for towing most cars.

FOX13 asked Natasha Day, “Did you pay the $125?" She replied, "No, I did not pay the $125. I got an attorney involved. Once I did that, they went ahead and returned my car.”

Tasanta Jones said she reached out to the Mayor's office and Memphis Police about her case. Her car was released without paying, but she’s still looking for a new job. She said, “It hurts. It destroys me to know I’m doing everything I can to make everything okay and better for my kids and I’m being treated like this.”

There are other Memphis ordinances you should know if your car is towed:

-Tow companies are required to answer calls 24 hours per day if they lock your car on their property.

-They must be available to retrieve your car by 7:00 a.m. the next morning

-Towing operators must let you retrieve your personal property from your car for free.

Towing companies are overseen by theCity of Memphis Permits Office. If you need to file a complaint against any towing company, you should contact their office at (901) 636-6711.