What Predatory Towing Is and Why Nolensville Police Issued an Alert
Predatory towing happens when a tow company removes your vehicle from private property without proper authorization, charges excessive fees, or uses aggressive tactics to force payment before you can retrieve your car. In Nolensville, Tennessee, police have warned residents about towing companies that target parked vehicles in apartment complexes, shopping centers, and residential areas — often towing cars that pose no real violation or towing them under questionable circumstances.
The Nolensville Police Department alert specifically warns that some operators tow vehicles quickly, charge storage fees that climb daily, and make it difficult for owners to understand what happened or how to get their car back. The goal of the alert is to help residents recognize when a tow may not be legal and know what steps to take.
Unlike a police-authorized tow (which happens after a traffic stop or when a vehicle is abandoned), predatory towing usually involves a private tow company acting on behalf of a property owner or management company — sometimes with minimal notice to the vehicle owner.
Key Takeaways
- Nolensville police warn that some tow companies remove vehicles without proper signage, authorization, or legitimate cause.
- Tennessee law requires property owners to post clear towing notices and follow specific procedures before a vehicle can be legally towed from private property.
- If your vehicle is towed, you have the right to see the tow authorization, understand the charges, and dispute the tow if it was done illegally.
- Keeping photos of parking signs, your lease or parking agreement, and the tow company's receipt protects you if you need to challenge the tow later.
- Small claims court is a low-cost way to recover towing fees if you believe the tow was unauthorized or the charges were excessive.
Tennessee's Legal Requirements for Private Property Towing
Tennessee law does not ban private property towing, but it does require property owners and tow companies to follow clear rules. Before a vehicle can be legally towed from private property in Tennessee, the property owner or manager must post visible signage that states towing is enforced. The sign must be readable from a parked vehicle and must include the tow company's name and phone number.
The property owner must also have a written agreement with the tow company that spells out when towing is authorized. For example, a sign might say "Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner's expense" or "Reserved parking — violators will be towed." Without clear signage and a legitimate reason (such as parking in a reserved spot or blocking a driveway), the tow is not legal under Tennessee law.
Additionally, Tennessee requires tow companies to provide an itemized receipt showing the tow charge, storage fees, and any other costs. The tow company must also allow you to inspect your vehicle before paying and must accept payment by credit card or check, not cash only.
Signs That a Tow May Be Predatory or Illegal
Predatory towing often follows a pattern. The tow company may remove your vehicle within minutes of parking, before you have a reasonable chance to move it. They may tow from a lot where signage is missing, faded, or posted in a location where drivers cannot see it before parking. They may also refuse to show you the authorization from the property owner or claim they do not have a copy.
Other red flags include storage fees that are unusually high or that increase dramatically each day, refusal to accept payment methods other than cash, or pressure to pay when ready without time to review charges or dispute the tow. Some predatory operators also make it hard to reach them by phone or provide a lot location that is far from where your vehicle was parked.
If a tow company cannot show you a signed agreement with the property owner, cannot point to visible signage at the lot, or towed your vehicle from a spot where you had legitimate permission to park, the tow may be illegal — and you may have grounds to recover your fees.
What to Do when ready After Your Vehicle Is Towed
If you discover your vehicle is missing, do not assume it was stolen. Call the Nolensville Police Department non-emergency line to report it missing and ask whether it was towed. Police can tell you which tow company removed it and where your vehicle is being held. Write down the case or report number.
Contact the tow company directly and ask for the name and phone number of the property owner or manager who authorized the tow. Ask the tow company to email or text you a copy of the authorization and an itemized receipt before you pay anything. Do not pay over the phone; visit the lot in person so you can inspect your vehicle and review all charges before handing over money.
Take photos of your vehicle's condition when you arrive at the lot, photograph the itemized receipt, and ask the tow company for a copy you can keep. If the tow company refuses to provide authorization or a receipt, or if the charges seem excessive, do not pay yet — this is the moment to gather information for a dispute.
How to Challenge an Illegal or Excessive Tow
If you believe the tow was illegal or the charges are unfair, you have several options. First, contact the property owner or manager directly (not the tow company) and explain that the tow may not have been authorized correctly or that signage was not visible. Sometimes a property manager will agree to cover the tow fee if they realize the tow company acted without proper authorization.
If the property owner will not help, you can file a complaint with the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, which oversees tow companies. You can also file a complaint with the Nolensville Police Department, especially if you believe the tow violated the signage or authorization requirements under Tennessee law. Police cannot force a refund, but a complaint on record may help if you pursue the case further.
For a tow you believe was clearly illegal, small claims court is often the fastest and cheapest option. You can sue the tow company or the property owner for the tow fee, storage charges, and sometimes additional damages. Bring your photos, the receipt, proof that signage was missing or illegible, your lease or parking agreement (if you rented the space), and any written communication with the tow company or property owner. Small claims court in Rutherford County (where Nolensville is located) has a filing fee of around $25 to $50, depending on the amount you are claiming.
How to Protect Yourself From Predatory Towing
Before you park in any lot — whether at an apartment, shopping center, or street parking — look for towing signs. Photograph any sign you see, including the date and time. If signage is missing, faded, or hard to read, take a photo showing that too. This documentation protects you if a tow happens later and you need to prove the sign was not visible.
If you rent an apartment or parking space, keep a copy of your lease or parking agreement. Review the towing clause carefully and note which spots are yours and which are reserved for others. If you park in a guest spot or common area, ask your landlord or property manager in writing which spots are safe and which will result in a tow. Save their response.
If you see a vehicle being towed from your lot and the driver is not present, note the tow company name, the vehicle's license plate, and the time. This information can help a neighbor or friend who may not realize their car was towed. Sharing this information with others in your community also helps build awareness of predatory practices in your area.
Reporting Predatory Towing to Nolensville Police
If you experience predatory towing or witness it happening, report it to the Nolensville Police Department. You can call the non-emergency line or file a report online through the city's website. Provide as much detail as possible: the date and time, the tow company name, the property address, whether signage was visible, and what happened. If you have photos or video, include those too.
Police use these reports to identify patterns and to warn the community about specific tow companies. If multiple residents report the same company for similar practices, police may investigate further or work with the city to enforce towing regulations more strictly. Your report also creates an official record that can support your own dispute if you need to pursue a refund.
You can also contact the Tennessee Attorney General's office if you believe a tow company is engaging in deceptive or unfair practices. The Attorney General's consumer protection division investigates complaints and can take action against companies that violate state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tow company tow my car without a sign?
No. Tennessee law requires visible signage posted at the property before a vehicle can be legally towed. The sign must be readable from a parked vehicle and must include the tow company's name and phone number. If there was no sign or the sign was not visible where you parked, the tow may be illegal.
What if I parked in a spot I thought was allowed?
If you parked in what you believed was a legal spot and the property owner or manager did not clearly mark it as reserved or off-limits, you may have grounds to dispute the tow. Bring your lease, any written permission you have to park there, and photos showing the lack of signage. This evidence can support your case in small claims court.
How much can a tow company charge in Tennessee?
Tennessee law does not set a maximum tow fee, but charges must be reasonable and itemized. Storage fees typically range from $15 to $50 per day depending on the lot. If a company charges $200 to tow a car and then $100 per day in storage, that may be excessive and challengeable. Ask for an itemized receipt and compare it to other tow companies' rates in your area.
Can I get my money back if I already paid?
Yes, if you can prove the tow was illegal or the charges were excessive. Small claims court allows you to recover the tow fee and storage charges if you win. Bring all documentation: photos of missing or illegible signage, your receipt, your lease, and any written communication with the property owner or tow company.
What should I do if the tow company won't give me a receipt?
Refuse to pay and contact the Nolensville Police Department. A tow company that will not provide an itemized receipt is violating Tennessee law. Document the refusal in writing (email the company and ask them to confirm they will not provide a receipt), then file a complaint with police and the Tennessee Public Utility Commission.