Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/28/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 10/26/2024, My car was towed and issued $25 non permit violation ticket SCAM (NOT A MUNICIPALITY FEE) and charging $275 towing fee ROBBERY. We were ordered by the towing company to pay the parking violation even though the receipt doesnt state that this is private violation. DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. If you have been a victim to this scam email or contact the ATTORNEY GENERAL @ ************************* or call ************. I attached the article regarding this company. They just continues to scam people even after they have been caught. The clerk wouldnt allow me to take the violation ticket so I took a picture instead and when I questioned it clerk kept saying both the violation fee and towing fee must be paid in ordered for the towing company to release the car. When i gave her push back she state violation is the state college city fee.I have already filed a formal complaint with the attorney general as this deceptive practice continues and they havent made any changes to their process. ********************************************************************************************

  Business Response

  Date: 10/28/2024

  Good afternoon,

   

  The ticket is clearly for private property. It is referenced as such numerous times on the back of the ticket. I have attached the scan of the back of one of the tickets for proof.

  The towing fees are are standard rate for illegally charged vehicles.

  All fees will stand as charged.

   

  Thank you,

  *** ******

  Towing Manager

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/28/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear 

   

  I am not questioning the validity of the ticket.  Your company force me to paid ticket to release my car that your company towed.  Did you not just recently settle a lawsuit with the attorney general with this deception practice? Your company agreed not to require payment of the violation to release the vehicle.  
  

  I am now requesting $25 refund for enforcing me to pay the ticket  in order for my car to be releases and $275 refund for the towed for your deceptive practices in order to avoid further legal action. 

  Walk's Service Center, a towing company in *************, ************, settled a lawsuit with the *****************************'s office in July 2024:  
  
  Allegations
  The lawsuit alleged that Walk's Service Center violated the Consumer Protection Law by demanding additional fees for private parking tickets, threatening to tow vehicles, and issuing tickets that looked similar to government parking tickets.  
  
  Settlement
  Walk's Service Center agreed to pay $15,000 to eligible consumers who file complaints with the Office of Attorney General's ****************************** Walk's also agreed to change its business practices, including: 

  
  Part your Settlement:
  
  Not requiring payment of private parking tickets before releasing towed vehicles. 

  
  Kind Regards,
  

  
  **** *****

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/29/2024

  Hello *****,
  
  I attached a copy of the legal settlement that Walks Towing agreed to for your review.  It clearly states that they cant make the consumer pay for their private violation to release of the vehicle.
  
  Thank you so much for your help in this matter.
  
  ****

  Business Response

  Date: 10/29/2024

  There will be no refund issued, the towing was correct and legitimate,

   

  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/29/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  I will be filing a formal complaint with ***************************** as this a violation of your of the consumer protection act and the court settlement. This complaint is about the company unethical behavior not the tow and your refusal to make it right.

  I attached the court settlement for the record.

  Kind regards, 
  
  **** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/14/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We parked in a visitor's spot and were towed from ***** ******* ********** *** ********** **, ***** ******** ** *****. We had to pay $295 to the towing company to get our car back. We want a refund of this money. Attached is documentation of the lack of proper signage and the towing receipt. We went to the leasing office and explained the following. There is only one sign regarding parking at the entrance that we used. It says you need a permit to park in the lot, but we naturally understood that to apply to the numbered spots, not the clearly marked visitors spots. The sign is halfway knocked over, and is not lit. We entered the lot at 8pm, so there was no way way to even see the sign until we came back to dispute with the leasing office the next day. Even then, we only noticed it because we were looking for it. The leasing office told us that they could do nothing about it- it was the towing company's responsibility to have proper signage. Further, they said that residents of their complex are required to give guests a guest pass, and to keep guests informed of the requirement, even though the parking signage is inadequate. The individual we were visiting let us know that the day we were towed, the leasing office sent out a reminder email just before closing. By the time he could get to the leasing office to get a pass, they were already closed. It seems to me this is just a scheme to make a bunch of money off guests. The parking pass issue is one thing- I understand how this might be justifiable even if it is just a way for the businesses to avoid blame. But the current parking signage is unacceptable if towing is to be enforced.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/16/2024

  Good morning,

  I drove to the lot this morning, I attached photos of 3 signs posted randomly through the main drive through parts of the lots. One at the entrance, one about center and one at the back. You can not get to any lot in that complex without driving past signs stating "PERMIT PARKING".

   

  The lot is posted in accordance with state law and the tow will stand.

   

  Thank you,

  Tom H*****

  Towing Manager

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/16/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  The image you provided, Northbrook A shows the sign that we pass and that I provided pictures of as well. In every single picture you can see that the sign is almost impossible to see- the way it's behind the speed limit sign looks almost deliberate. Especially since the sign is not lit by any of the street lights. Please provide a refund, and fix thee signage.

  
  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** ** ***** **** ** **** **** **** ** *** ********
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/07/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On February 6, 2024, I was towed from a spot 201 Northwick Blvd, State College, PA, 16803 that was marked for public use. I confirmed this by asking two residents and by ensuring there were no tow warning signs nearby. There were dozens of open spaces in the parking lot for both public and private use.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/22/2024

  Good morning,
  
  This is in response to the above referenced complaint. The lot is not marked as public use. There are signs on the property stating "Permit Parking" as required by state law. I have attached a sign of one of the signs which, is located at the entrance to the lot.  The tow was valid and the fees will stand as charge.
  
   
  
  Thank you,
  
  Tom H*****
  
  Towing Manager

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/22/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  l saw the signage which indicates that owners may be ticketed or towed. There was no signage near the spot I was parked in. There was signage near the non-parallel parking spots. A resident informed me that parallel parking spots were not subject to the permit-only parking rule. I was parked for less than 2 hours in a lot with more than 30 open spots around me. The charges should be reduced to a reasonable ticket price.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* *******

  Business Response

  Date: 02/22/2024

  Again the lot is posted as required by law, the tenant giving you wrong information has nothing to do with that.  

   

  Thank you,

  Tom

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/22/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  I still could have received even a $100 ticket, rather than forcing a resident to drive me to the tow lot at 11 p.m. on a school night and paying $300 to retrieve my car.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/20/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 2/18/23, my vehicle was predatorily lifted by Walk’s Towing (Karch Auto). I had a guest pass for Park Crest Terrace Apartments displayed on my rear view mirror. While loading my vehicle to leave, I discovered a pink “parking notice” envelope on my windshield. Within the envelope was a “parking violation” with a $20 fine. The violation appeared to be from a government agency and demanded payment. I went inside and paid the violation. I grabbed my remaining items and returned to my vehicle, only to find it lifted by Walk’s Towing. The parking violation states that “accumulation of unpaid violations may result in towing of the vehicle at owners expense”. I had only received 1 violation, not violations (plural), and I had paid my violation. Walk’s Towing said that they were towing me because I had “no visible permit”, which is a lie, as it was hanging from my rear view mirror. Additionally, Park Crest Terrace Apartments told me that the parking notice is only supposed to be a “warning”. How does a warning include a fine followed by predatory towing after the fine is paid? The PA Attorney General’s office is also currently in litigation with Karch Auto for impersonating a government agency.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/20/2023

  **** **********

               In response to this complaint here are the following facts about this situation:

        The vehicle was issued a parking ticket for not having a valid permit.   The ticket was issued at 11:24am on February 18th 2023.   The permit that was issued by Park Crest Terrace(see attachment, with the bottom not cut off) was set to expire on the 18th at 9am.  With this said the permit was expired by over two hours thus the permit was not a valid permit nor was the person in possession of a valid permit at the time of permit.   As for a warning the ticket that was issued was the warning and the individual knew he should not be parked there since he states he took the ticket off the vehicle and paid it.  When he saw the ticket this was his notice to move the car but he/she decided to leave the vehicle in the spot.   This person came out of the apartment while the tow truck driver had the vehicle in the air.  At this point a drop fee was requested($150.00) from the owner/operator of the vehicle. The gentleman also stated to me this morning(2/20/2023) that he did not go back to his car right away but did other things in the apartment.  This was paid and the vehicle was released to the person filing the dispute.   

         As for our ticket looking like a government agency it clearly states Walks Towing on the Ticket and on the tow truck that was in the process of towing the vehicle.  As for us being predatory we are contracted by the management of Park Crest Terrace to patrol their parking lots and issue tickets and tow any vehicles that do not display the proper permits.  In regards to him stating about Karch Auto being investigated by the Attorney General I will not address this since it has nothing to do with why he was towed from Park Crest Terrace.

    If I can answer any further questions or further explain any statements I have made I can be reached at this portal or by calling me at ************

  Best regards,

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/27/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My daughter ****** is a resident of Parkway Plaza Student Apartments and we pay for a legal parking space. ****** was involved in a car accident prior to Christmas break, returned for spring semester in a different car and neglected to immediately get a new parking sticker. ****** returned on 1/8, the car was towed by Walk's on 1/11 at 5 am and, as a CATAbus commuter, didn't discover this until 1/14. I acknowledge the oversights but argue there is no way this is a $455 mistake. The student employees of Parkway were sympathetic but unable to help in any way and each had stories of their own regarding personal victimization by Walk's. When I phoned Walk's and asked to speak to Bradley K**** I was simply told "No" and we will do nothing to mitigate the charges by Tom H*****, Towing Manager. Such predatory personalities need to be stopped by sensible laws preventing their ability to commit legal, financial rape. The tow was $225, the dolly fee $50 and $60 per day x 3 days storage totals $455. The national average tow is listed at $110 and we pay Parkway only $30 per entire month for a legal parking space. I put the charges in dispute with my credit card company and plan to file a complaint with the PA AG. Please contact me with information on every step I can take to stop this abusive practice.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/27/2023

  Good afternoon,

  The vehicle was illegally parked due to not having a proper permit. As far as a national average for towing, It is more than likely for requested not impound towing which regardless does not apply.  The fee will stand as issued.

   

  Thank you

  Towing Manager

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/30/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
   
  Regards,
  
  ******* *********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/09/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Walk's Towing stole my vehicle from the private property that I pay my leasing company to park on. They claim that my parking permit wasn't visible but have no photo evidence that it wasn't. When I left my car after parking it, the permit was visible and hanging on my rear view mirror. When I went to pick up the car the pass was sitting on the floor barely under my seat. I explained that it could have fallen under the seat while they were towing it but the staff dismissed me. They charged me the maximum fine of $275.00. In addition, they did not check my ID or verify in anyway that the vehicle was mine before they charged and let me drive away with it. The manager Todd was extremely rude and said that he does not need evidence that the parking pass wasn't on the mirror because his driver said it was. In addition, my vehicle and license plate is registered with **** **** ******* (my leasing company) so if they had called they would have known that it was not an illegally parked car. Also, they charged the maximum fine to tow my car 0.8 miles down the road. Lastly, on the receipt given to me they wrote the incorrect name, address, phone number, and ID number. They put some random person after I had signed the receipt. This is forgery.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/10/2022

  The customer is claiming the permit was affixed then fell down. The vehicle was called in by parking lot a monitor for no visible permit, a tow driver then verified there was no visible permit prior to towing. We do not enter vehicles to look on the floor we merely check the areas of the front and rear windows. As far as the customer claiming we made the permit fall, our parking lot monitor is not psychic (at least as far as I know) and would have no way of knowing that a permit would somehow fall during transit.

  The fee will stand as isuued,

  Thank you,

  Tom

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/12/2022

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  I pay over 800$ a year for this parking spot. My license plate, make, and model of the vehicle are registered with my apartment building. In addition, the receipt given to me has incorrect information on it. 

  Regards,
  
  ***** *********

  Business Response

  Date: 09/12/2022

  The lot is posted as Permit Parking only, registering a vehicle does not over ride permit regulations. The vehicle was towed for no visible permit therefore, the fee will stand as issued.

  Thank you,

  Tom.