I would like to know who monitors Lake County Tow's impoundment practices... They are scamming and cherry-picking who they tow. Case in point I parked my truck with a boat trailer attached at South Lake Medical Center on Saturday, May 29th (Memorial Day Weekend) at approximately 11:00 pm. I have done this several times in the past as I know I am not impeding anyone from parking as most offices are closed on the weekend especially over a holiday. The parking lot has a lot of spaces. I live across from the medical center and could see my vehicle from my porch. To my surprise the next morning I found my vehicles missing and after searching the parking lot for a possible no parking overnight sign. I found a very small sign to the right of the entrance which obviously I missed. No other signs are posted anywhere on the property. In the past, I have seen Lake County Tow patrolling the parking lot late at night which I found strange as there have been several cars parked in this lot overnight but not towed.
Case in point in the covered parking lot in the back there is an old gray Dodge Stratus with a yellow county tag (paint peeling off the tag) no registration sticker that has been parked in the same spot since 5/29 (17days I have dated pictures). It is obviously not a county vehicle as it is a very old vehicle. I also noticed 4 other vehicles parked in the parking lot at approximately 7:30 am on a Sunday.
Hence why they are cherry-picking which vehicles to tow... When I called their dispatch, they said that the cost would be $426.00 cash (really) and I could pick it up at 15409 County Road 565A, Clermont, Fl 34711. I explain the above and to top it off it was the day after my birthday. She could care less they are scammers.
To add insult, I had to get another one of my vehicles go to the bank withdraw the money and get an Uber to pick it up as I wasn't even sure someone would be there to let me in. She also told me it had to be the exact amount. When I arrived, there was no attend that I could see. I had to call her again. Finally, an attendant came out and opened the gate... I asked him why he would tow a vehicle so late at night he said the owner of the property called (lie). Really the owner was watching a medical center at 2:55 am according to the Invoice time impounded? He then proceeded to tell me that the cost was $460 which was more than what I was originally told. I had to prove my ownership with a license and registration.
I am also curious how they got my truck out since it was parked close to a curb and how do you tow 2 vehicles at once (the hitch was locked to the truck). I then asked who sets these ridiculous impoundment charges. He responded the city council (lie). I asked for a receipt and he said that the dispatch would send me an invoice.
June 1st still no receipt. I had to call the dispatch again to get a copy of the receipt... I asked her also who to contact at the City Council about pricing of impounding. She said no one Lake County Tow sets the price. How can this be possible? They take your truck/trailer impound it and then they have you because you have to have to pay the cash to get it out. Think about it this was double-dipping on their part because they are charging me for 2 vehicles with one tow. Even worse it wasn't in their lot for more than 7 hours. Charges (towing) Loaded/Hooked Mileage $35.33, (Towing) Gate Fee After Hours $75.00, (Towing) Towing $120.00 x 2. How does this work when the trailer was attached to the truck? They had one tow, not two tows. I at least want $230.33 back as it was one individual tow!!!
I want to make everyone aware of this company that is scamming our Clermont neighborhood. I will be filing with the BBB read more
