Ethan Bullard was forced to pay $745 to get his stolen car back after a tow company found it at a nearby apartment complex.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man says a towing company took advantage of him after it charged him $745 to get his stolen car back.
Ethan Bullard’s car was stolen out of his driveway in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 18. He admits the spare key was accidentally left inside the car, which allowed the thieves to easily take it.
He filed a police report and on that Saturday, an officer called and informed him a local towing service had found his car at the Wexford Apartments and towed it.
Bullard was shocked to see the cost of getting his car back when he picked up his car from the tow lot. The itemized invoice from Overtime Towing and Transport shows it charges an additional $350 “recovery fee” for towing stolen cars.
When he asked what the $350 recovery fee was, “they said it was for having to deal with the police,” Bullard recalled.
“I felt like I was getting robbed after getting robbed,” he added.
Bullard has insurance but the deductible is $1,000, so he had to pay the fees.
Towing fees aren’t regulated in North Carolina after a 2014 North Carolina Supreme Court case determined cities cannot cap the amount of money towing companies can charge.
“Where’s the incentive not to tow stolen vehicles if you know you can tack on another $350 and have the insurance companies pay it?” Bullard asked.
He hopes state and city leaders will make changes to better protect car theft victims from paying high tow prices.
“They should require tow companies, prior to towing, to check the VIN, and if it is stolen give the property owner an opportunity to get it themselves,” Bullard suggested.
Bullard is also urging the community to remember to locate their keys and lock their cars.
WCNC Charlotte asked Overtime Towing about its recovery fee and policy regarding stolen cars. We spoke with the owner over the phone, but she ultimately chose not to comment.
State lawmakers filed a bill in May 2024 to reform towing laws. Part of the bill would establish a commission that would set maximum fees for towing each year.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
