A Toms River woman, Jo Carlo, has come forward with allegations of excessive charges for a tow truck following a carjacking incident on the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia. Carlo was driving to drop off a friend in South Philadelphia when her car was struck by a stolen SUV early Sunday morning. The impact caused her vehicle to be dragged approximately 250 feet, narrowly avoiding going over the wall.
Carlo attempted to flag down police for assistance, but they were engaged in a pursuit of the five carjacking suspects who had allegedly stolen a BMW. Instead, a Casablanca Towing and Recovery Truck arrived at the scene. The tow driver informed Carlo that they were part of the police rotational tow, leading her to believe that calling 911 was unnecessary.
However, Philadelphia police have refuted this claim, stating that Casablanca is not affiliated with the police rotational tow system. When Carlo attempted to retrieve her vehicle the following day, she was provided with an incorrect address and informed that she needed to pay $1,500. After negotiations, Casablanca reduced the amount to $850.
Under the city’s rotational tow system’s consumer bill of rights, the tow fee for a vehicle of Carlo’s weight should have been a flat fee of $215, with an additional $25 per day for storage. Carlo believes that Casablanca engaged in fraudulent practices, describing them as solicitors who take advantage of people in vulnerable situations.
Action News reached out to Casablanca for comment, but a manager declined to provide any information regarding the fees and circumstances surrounding the tow. Shortly after the news station’s inquiry, Carlo was informed that her vehicle would be released free of charge. Expressing her frustration, she emphasized that Casablanca had brought trouble upon themselves and would face consequences.
A police spokesperson advised Carlo and other consumers in similar situations to report complaints to the Department of Licenses and Inspections, which oversees licensing for tow companies.
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Did you know that according to a study by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average cost of a tow truck service in the United States is around $109? It’s important for consumers to be aware of their rights and to compare prices before accepting any services to avoid excessive charges like the ones alleged in this incident.