Complaints

This profile includes complaints for A-1 Towing Company's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  A-1 Towing Company

  5609 Vine St Alexandria, VA 22310-1018

• 

  A-1 Towing Company

  5404 Oakwood Rd Alexandria, VA 22310-1003

• 

  A-1 Towing Company

  4000 S Four Mile Run Dr Arlington, VA 22206-2306

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:07/04/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  In July 4th the towing company decided to tow my vehicle even though I was complying with all the policies at my apartment complex and they shouldnt have allowed to tow it. They damage the front bumper of the vehicle and illegally tow my vehicle which means vandalism. This same exact pattern of towing vehicles even when there is no violation has been happening to other people that have done complaints for this company. Its time that the BBB closes them and reimburses the people that have been harmed by this company.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/19/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  This towing company is operating under unethical and non-reasonable standards. I am a resident at ************************ Apartments and they towed my car even though I live there. They said my tire was over the line, which it was not. These people need to be shut down as they prey on people who may have a single tire over the line. I can only imagine this company is run by the lowest of the low in our society and they are the doldrums of human evolution. These people should either be in jail or out of business. They are are an awful company with unethical standards and deserve nothing but the worst. Please put these neandrethrals out of business and shut their shady, soulsucking businesss down for good.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/05/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  A-1 Towing towed my vehicle from *************** at **************** while I was parked in a reserved spot visiting my friend at his apartment complex, which was fair. My friend called me, letting me know that he saw my car on the road and it looked like it had a dent. Upon arriving to retrieve my vehicle, I asked to see my car before paying, but the employee told me I couldn't do that because it was private property. When questioning them, they told me they deal with a lot of people like me who "know the law" and that I wouldn't be able to look at my vehicle until paying.After paying the $155 fee, which included a fuel surcharge fee they mentioned was a standard "government fee," I found my vehicle with an additional scratch on the bumper. I then approached an employee in the lot and told him about the damages as my car's bumper looked more damaged than before. A bigger man came out from the back and confronted me. When I told him my vehicle was scratched, he mentioned it was already like that before. So I told him I would like to file a claim, to which he replied, "We don't do claims here." When I asked him how they could not do claims, he said in an intimidating voice, "We don't do claims here, do you understand," with his hand near his pocket.I couldn't believe the situation and felt threatened, which led to me getting in my vehicle and driving off, only to be allowed to leave once they unlocked the gate for me. Ironically, after the incident, I asked the employee running the front desk at my friend's apartment if I could receive digital footage of the parking lot. It came up that she had also been towed by A-1 Towing recently and had a very similar experience, with her car also being damaged. This led to her litigating and getting her money back.I'm determined to litigate this business for their illegitimacy and fraudulent tactics. I would like my money back as my rights were violated, I was lied to, and there were damages to my car.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/01/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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 car was towed by A1 Towing and Recovery on May 5th, 2024, between 8:30 and 8:40 PM. I parked just 30 minutes earlier and didnt see any signs indicating payment was required for the parking lot. Upon my return at 8:42 PM, my car was missing. Since there was no contact information for A1 Towing and Recovery posted in the parking lot, I had to call the police for assistance. When I called A1 Towing, they *** come to their location to get my car and pay the fee. I arrived via Uber at 8:55 PM and was charged $215, an excessive fee.Upon returning to my apartment, I noticed damage to my car where the tow truck had hooked it. I immediately contacted A1 Towing and Recovery, and they requested pictures of the damage. However, after sending the pictures, they denied responsibility and claimed I had caused the damage myself. This denial is baseless, as the damage clearly corresponds to where their truck hooked onto my car. During the call, their staff were verbally abusive and yelled at **** contacted my insurance company to file a claim, and they advised me to speak with *** at A1 Towing and Recovery. When I contacted ***, he asked me to email pictures of the damage and my personal and vehicle information. I sent the email on May 21st, 2024, but received no response. For the past two weeks, I have been trying to reach *** by phone, but A1 Towing and Recovery keeps saying he is either unavailable or not at work. Despite multiple attempts to reach ***, including emails and phone calls, I have not received any response. *** has been avoiding my calls to discuss the damage and repair of my car.Desired resolution: I want A1 Towing and Recovery to take responsibility for the damage they caused to my car and have their insurance cover the repair, estimated at $1,202.33. Additionally, I expect better communication and accountability from the company in handling such incidents in the future, as well as improved towing services with the safe handling of vehicles.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/16/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  Car was illegally towed from spot. No one notified me and car had parking permit clearly displayed. Clerk at tow company was very hostile and aggressive (cursing at us and threatening us) and would not provide any required information or proof of legitimacy for towing. They claim there was police report filed and that information would be provided but refused to give me any of this information. ***** said if I did not just pay I was not going to get my car and she was going to slam the window in my face. Prior to signing release form, I crossed out the word "any" in regards to any dispute- which should be shown in the business's copy of the document.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/15/2024

  Company has claimed to bank that they have photo evidence my parking was not displayed which is not true. I have videos and images from the tow yard showing my permit was clearly displayed. They claim to have photo proof they can email but do not produce it. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/15/2024

  Company has claimed to bank that they have photo evidence my parking was not displayed which is not true. I have videos and images from the tow yard showing my permit was clearly displayed. They claim to have photo proof they can email but do not produce it. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/15/2024

  More photo proof from tow yard pick up. Can also provide a video

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/09/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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 Saturday 3/9/2024 at 8:55 pm I had attempted to find parking at a local restaurant and saw the lot was full. I parked in a marked spot in a lot across the street for approximately 5 minutes as I walked across to ask the staff inside where to park and returned to move my car. In that less than 5 minute window H34323030363830**3635H driver #** had hooked my vehicle up and had not even removed it from the parking spot yet. I attempted to shout to the driver and run across the street, however the driver ignored me and pulled out with my vehicle. I was able to flag down another driver from the same company who gave me the address to the tow lot, which I immediately walked to. Upon arriving to the tow lot the dispatcher advised me that he would not release the vehicle until we paid $205 and stated that he would not assist me beyond accepting payment. I was told to speak to the manager "****" on 3/11/2024 which is the following Monday to the incident. It is my understanding that there is a time window before a vehicle that is parked in a marked parking spot with no posted signage can be removed, and as they did not even have enough time to remove my vehicle from the spot (as they only did so once I attempted to get the driver's attention) I can't see that they allowed that window to pass. It is also my understanding that local laws for a vehicle of my size only allow a maximum fee of $135 plus a $25 after hours fee, which would mean they significantly overcharged what is legally allowed. I am able to furnish to tow receipt with timestamps if needed. I will follow up with a police incident report would like assistance in being reimbursed for a wrongful tow.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/03/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  This company towed my car stating no permit visible but it was parked in the designated visitor section of my friends apartment complex. I am a single female and went to pick up my car at midnight from their towing lot. They argued/threatened/intimidated me and would not release my car unless I paid even though the car was parked in the visitor section of the apartment complex.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/20/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  This company towed my fathers car on December 20, 2023 reporting that there was no visitors pass in the car. We arrived at the location around 12:30pm. We were charged $200. The guy at the window said that he had pictures of the dash and drivers seat showing no ticket. However, after paying the fee, when my dad arrived to the car the ticket was clearly visible on the drivers seat. My concern is that if it was not in the car last night how did it get in the seat before we picked up the car. I fear that the company opens the door to remove the ticket and take pictures in order to have a reason to tow. Additionally, the gentleman at the window was rude and refused to explain policies. He would not give his name but reported that his managers name is ***.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/17/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  Was illegally towed and was called the n-word when picking up my car and disputing. Had to call 911 for assistance. Had proof of legal parking and photos. Was called by company receptionist and a voicemail was left calling me vile names.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/06/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  I parked at *************************** on the night of October 8th, 2023 at 730pm. My car was positioned where I was facing the Crafty Crab. Then started walking towards my friends new place at ************************Alexandria VA. About an hour later I returned to the parking lot and saw my car wasn’t there anymore. So my friend called around the towing companies and finally got a hit with A-1 Towing Service of Northern Virginia. My friend gave them my make model and asked why it was towed. They stated that they towed me because I had walked away from my car. Almost implying that they were near by watching and snatching cars. I’m here to report that my car was towed by a horrible company with no regard to the cars they bring in. I got my car from the lot but couldn’t access it from the driver side. I had to go in from the passenger side and get into the driver seat. I also noticed it was odd how my car was positioned in the lot. It was parked in front of a fence and I was able to see the front of my car. It didn’t make sense how they could park it if they jacked it up from the rear. So I was driving back home and my neighborhood has speed bumps. As I went over the first few I could hear scrapping sounds which weren’t normal. So as soon as I parked I flashed a light and noticed the damage of the undercarriage. Two metal pieces poking out of place. I’m looking for them to fix the damages they caused for towing my car. Along with refunding me the fee for getting it out of the lot for the inconvenience, trouble accessing my car and illegally scoping out the parking lot.