My vehicle was towed and sold without my being notified!

[mgeffs]

What is the name of your state?California.

My car was parked in a friend's back yard. I just got a letter from a collection agency saying my car was towed (not by my friend) and auctioned and I got a bill for the balance of towing fees. I was never contacted and now can not contact my friend. HELP!! What should I do?

 

[seniorjudge]

Did you report this to the cops?

 

[You Are Guilty]

Did you report this to the cops?

Jumping a bit ahead there, no? Let's try Square One:

Whose name was the car's title in?




And then the obvious follow up:

How many payments had you missed before the car got towed?

 

[seniorjudge]

Jumping a bit ahead there, no? Let's try Square One:

Whose name was the car's title in?




And then the obvious follow up:

How many payments had you missed before the car got towed?

You weren't supposed to tell him that yet!

 

[mgeffs]

Ha Ha.

The car is in MY NAME. Purchased outright. I did not think to report it, but I will. Then what?

 

[seniorjudge]

The car is in MY NAME. Purchased outright. I did not think to report it, but I will. Then what?

Wait for the cops to arrest the scoundrels.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Wait for the cops to arrest the scoundrels.

In your name outright? No money owed?

If so, I suspect an inside job. Check under your "friend's" bed. (If not, contact the lender.)

 

[BL]

Hmmm ... Maybe an ordinance was violated and thus it was towed . No one claimed it , so an abandonment . An auction, and a Tow Bill ?

 

[stephenk]

How long had it been parked in your friend's backyard?

How can you not locate your friend? Doesn't he still live where your car was being stored?

 

[JETX]

My car was parked in a friend's back yard.

Okay, lets play '100 questions'!!!!

1) Did your friend give you permission to park your car there?
2) How long was it there??
3) Did your friend OWN the property??
4) Does your friend STILL own the property??
5) Who had your car towed??
6) Where was the car towed to??
7) What did the storage unit say when you called them to ask about why your car was towed... and who authorized??
8) Since you say the car was in your name.... is the address on the title your CURRENT address??

I will reserve the other 92 questions until you answer the above!!

 

[badapple40]

It was Colonel Mustard, with the pickaxe, in the library.

 

[mgeffs]

To answer everyone

First, I like the arresting idea, but I don't know who.
Next, no money owed, no lender, I doubt an inside job, but I'll investigate.
Next, I can't think of any ordinace, private residence, enclosed, I was not notified of tow bill or auction untill after the fact.
Next, a few months (my fault I thought the car was safe). And the only time I've been able to get to the house (I don't have a car) I couldn't tell if anyone lived there, no one was home.
Next, 1) Yes 2) Since August/September 3) & 4) Rent(ed?) 5) I don't know 6) A tow company I've never heard of 7) I contacted a mediator who called the tow company, they won't release the name, they say they sent a letter (I never got anything), they say they auctioned the car legally sold the balance to the collection agency and have nothing to do with it now 8) I recently moved so my mail has been post office forwarded, I get my DMV info & the collection agency notice (but not the tow company's notice?).
Finally, Colonel Mustard I like that, I'll look into it!
Thank you everyone, all advice is appreciated.