Help with impounded auto

[insurance man]

My sons vehicle was towed to a wrecker service company in Cherry, Illinois
on Monday Dec 3. I, not my son who is owner of the vehicle and 21 years of
age, asked what the charges would be to determine the repair of the vehicle.
I was told $90. They then quoted a transmission repair of $1700. Unable to
pay for that, I asked if they had any interest in the vehicle. They said
they would take it if we produced the title. I told them the title was in
the vehicle and that my son would get there to sign off on it as soon as he
was able. I then received a call on the 8th of December, that storage
charges would be assessed if my son didnt get down to sign off on the
vehicles title that day. I said he would have to be directly contacted to do
that. They had his cell phone number. They did not reach my son as he works
hours later than their hours of business. He arrived on Dec13 and was handed
a bill for $446.42. Refusing to pay those charges, they denied him access to
his vehicle to remove personal items and his plates/registration/title
papers. They are demanding full payment.

My son at no time approved, signed any papers or any work orders to have
anything done to his vehicle. I was told by the towing company that his car
would be held and they would take steps to have my sons vehicle license
suspended.

My questions: Can they impound this vehicle, and continue to run up storage
charges? Deny my son access to his vehicle and papers? Charge him without
verbal or written approval of services nor notifying him of the additional
charges incurred? What is the best course of action?

[randalljd]

Based on what you say here, you could file suit against them (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to their behavior... You may also report them to your state attorney general's office. They cannot bill you unless you agreed to the work.