The attorney general’s office recently announced a $50,000 settlement with two wrecking and towing companies over the collection of so-called “junk fees.”
In a press release, the attorney general’s office stated that the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) “referred numerous consumer complaints” regarding Hilario Truck Center and Hilario’s Service Center, which has locations in Newtown and Danbury, to them in 2022. The complaints involved “unlawful fees for use of personal protective equipment, fees for towing vehicles within Hilario premises, fuel surcharges, escort fees, truck cleaning fees, fees for standard use equipment such as straps and shackles, administrative fees, claims handling fees, processing fees, and other non-permitted junk fees.”
The settlement applies to tows initiated by police or other traffic authorities beginning on January 1, 2019, and not to tows ordered by private property owners or private consumers. For vehicles under 10,000 pounds, types of fees charged that are eligible to receive settlement funds include: a fee to release a towed vehicle to its owner, a fee to move a vehicle on Hilario’s property, a fee to access contents in a towed car, a fee for safety equipment, a fee to clean equipment, a fee for use of fluid absorbent products, a fee for attending a scene, a fee for preparing a tow truck for use, or any kind of administrative surcharge for services rendered.
For vehicles over 10,000 pounds, types of fees charged that are eligible to receive settlement funds include: a charge for a minimum number of hours over one hour, charges for increments greater than 15 minutes when services are longer than one hour, and a mileage charge if an hourly rate was charged for medium or heavy-duty non-consensual tows.
“Hilario’s charged junk fee after junk fee, violating state statutes and significantly overcharging drivers or their insurers. If you were towed by Hilario’s, you may be entitled to restitution. In addition to consumer refunds, our settlement ends these excessive charges and requires Hilario’s to pay $10,000 to the state.” Attorney General William Tong said via a press release.
To be eligible to receive settlement funds, eligible consumers must submit a written request along with documentation to Hilario’s by April 22, 2025.
Non-consensual tow fees, which are ordered by law enforcement or private property owners, are set by the DMV and have maximum allowable rates that are designed to be all-inclusive.
For vehicles under 10,000 pounds, tow charges are capped at $125. A $5.65 mileage fee applies per mile if a vehicle is towed over two miles. For vehicles between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds, a $240 hourly rate applies, with a minimum one-hour charge. Towing companies can charge in 15-minute increments after the first hour. The same formula applies for vehicles over 26,000 pounds, but the hourly rate is $390.
The DMV also sets vehicle storage fees for non-consensual tows. Fees vary based on the length of the vehicle, whether it is stored inside or outside, and by the number of days storage is required.
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