My car got towed from my apartment complex (Orange: HOA, credit card)

[phenomenon]

My car got towed from my apartment complex around midnight. Allegedly my parking permit was not visible on the rearview mirror but I do have a permit and have evidence that I pay the monthly fee for the permit. Sometimes it doesn't sit right on the mirror and possibly falls down. Anyway, my questions are as follows:

1. Is the security guard required to attempt to make contact with the resident before calling the tow company? My car has been registered with my apartment complex since I moved in 3 years ago so my phone number is on file.

2. Has anybody ever had success with doing a chargeback on their credit card for the towing fee? Or ever had success fighting the tow company? Tell your story. Again, I had evidence that I possess a valid parking permit.

3. I've been doing some research on PPI CVC 22658. Is it true that the tow company is required to record the odometer readings before and after they tow the vehicle? This was not done on my ticket.

4. I've heard stories that many of the security guards that patrol apartment complexes have special arrangements with their buddies at the tow company and receive kickbacks of $50 cash for every car they call in for towing. Major incentive for security guards to exaggerate minor infractions or pretend not to see parking passes. The entire towing industry is a racket in my opinion.

Any advice or stories welcome. The parking situation in Orange County is a major headache.

[citizensadvocate]

Intereseting article I find https://www.hoalawblog.com/do_you_to...es_at_your_as/

I was just about to post a forum about how to access towing records to find out if there is a pattern of preditory, bandit, and (poverty) towing records in different cities, towns, counties, as well as private HOAs or apartments. Some places are really carried away with using towing(due to possible back room profits) as opposed to other methods, i.e warnings and adminstrative actions. Apparently while there are good amounts of legislation protecting vehicle owners and place lots of responsibilities to public and private entities as well as towing companies many loathe to stand up for their rights and lay down the law. Reading VC22658 one would think with so much red tape and responsibilities and potential liability consequences for HOA presidents/apartment managers or public entities as well as tow companies carrying out the tow should a step be omitted one would think more than twice and only tow as a last resort when all other options fail unless the vehicle is causing an immediate obstruction or hazard. But both public and private entities break the law with impunity too many times with little oversight.

More people need to know their rights about towing especially living in cities or private complexes which may engage in tow for profit schemes. It should be treated like Grand theft auto if legal procedures are not followed to the letter.

Poverty tows may not have to do with poverty but occurs when a vehicle otherwise properly parked in a legit parking space gets towed due to some arbitary reason(no signage) or not being able to pay fees or fines. This can also occur when a vehicle gets stolen including from a locked garage when owner out of town and discovered later in a legit parking space. The owner may be devasted by the fees incurred for something absolutely no fault of their own.

[Ruth4Truth]

If procedures weren't followed in your case, OP (e.g. the odometer issue), and you have proof that your car is registered with your building manager, you could try small claims court, and the judge might order the tow company to pay restitution (and your court fees).