(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos Jr. sponsored to prohibit towing companies from charging storage fees for days on which they’re closed was advanced Monday by an Assembly panel.
“This is a straightforward consumer protection measure,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “It’s absurd to think people would be charged storage fees on days the towing company is closed, making it impossible to retrieve their vehicles. That’s wrong and this bill will fix it.”
Under the bill (A-3749), charging such a storage fee would be an unlawful practice.
An unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense.
In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured.
“Consumers shouldn’t be penalized by the simple fact that a business was closed,” Ramos said.
