Metro Towing Inc in
East Los Angeles (CA)

This place is the worst. There is a male in the front who charged me for my car being towed. Did not like his attitude, these people have such a bad attitude and are not profesional at all. I am so mad with how rude this person was.

They're illegally towing people!!! Know your rights! Even if you're parked in a private lot, if it's publicly accessible parking lot like a store it's ILLEGAL to tow cars if they've been there less than one hour, EVEN IF it says customer parking only [CVC 22953(a)]. They also don't provide the legally required authorization forms, which they are required BY LAW to give you BEFORE you pick up your car. This should have time stamps and authorization signature from the property owner to tow your car. [CVC 22658(l)(1)] They don't give you this because THEY DON'T HAVE IT and they're operating on predatory towing by watching and waiting you to leave the premises so they can steal your car. EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT A CUSTOMER THEY CANNOT JUST TAKE YOUR CAR if it's been less than one hour. They're also required by law to notify the police of the tow within one hour of picking up your vehicle. If they don't, you're entitled to three times what they charged you. They're also charging well above the normal LAPD towing rates of $195, which is also violating the law. Also if they damaged your vehicle, they try to say they're not responsible because they have it written on the receipt, but CVC 22658 has laws protecting consumers, and they actually are responsible for damages under California law. If you get towed by these people don't let them trick you into thinking they can just take your car because you parked in a lot and then walked away for a minute. They'll try to intimidate you on the phone and also refuse to give you the necessary and legally required paperwork to show the authorization of the tow. Nothing about these people is by the book, know your rights and don't let them keep getting away with this.

Believe the reviews. They are very threatening as if they didn’t just STEAL your car. Super rude to the point I told them to call the cops as I was not going to follow their orders.

Worst customer service ever. Completely useless. Would not tow a car that was illegally parked in a lot they support. Phone rep hung up when we called for assistance, and left us waiting for more than an hour, late at night, in the rain. If karma exists in this world, these jerks at Metro Towing will learn what "keep playing" really means as they refuse to offer the most basic assistance in a time of need. Joyless, classless, hopeless wastes of space and air. Avoid at all costs.

OFFICE ATTENDANT WAS THREATENING - IT IS UNSAFE. I take full responsibility for parking in a private lot, but the way Metro Towing treated me when retrieving my car was completely unacceptable and unethical. The attendant was aggressive, screamed at me, and threatened to keep my car if I didn’t pay immediately when I simply asked for an itemized invoice for the $518.23 charge. I paid under duress because I felt UNSAFE due to his threatening tactics. No customer deserves to be intimidated like that. I’m escalating this to the BBB, Los Angeles Consumer Protection authorities and LAPD. If you are going to pick your car up due to being towed, RECORD/ VIDEO THE ENTIRE INTERACTION. And, DO NOT GO ALONE IT IS UNSAFE.

This company is running a scam in Los Angeles whereby they tow your car and demand cash to release the car without providing any of the documentation required under CA Vehicle Code §22658. The employees who provided service were extremely rude, screamed at me, and used intimidation tactics to get $500 cash out of me. After I paid them, they did not provide any documentation or receipt and they kicked me out of the lot threatening to call the police. It was late and dark and the lot was in a dangerous neighborhood so I decided to leave right away but I will be reporting this to the police. Everyone please be careful!

Extortion and blatantly attempting to violate California State Law, they attempted to have me make an appointment for two weeks ahead despite already having squared away all paperwork and requesting it be released during business hours. Absolutely pathetic and they all deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law and by the “citizenry”.

This is a criminal organization under the guise of legitimate business. My vehicle was towed and I was extorted out of $500 at 12 o’clock at midnight. The fact that these people think they can get away with their crimes is ridiculous. Please, any body who has been a victim, sue this company in small claims court.

Mean, dirty, they say their card machine is not working and want you to pay cash, crazy amount of money. Their place looks like horror movie!

Update: male office staffer made creepy comments to me in front of two male police officers whom I called because he would not let me see my vehicle before making payment and because he got aggressive with me despite me remaining calm. The police officers' response to the guy's creepy comments: it's private property, he can run his business how he wants to and that I should ignore him and be the bigger person. Good to know how little respect and protection women in this country get. They tow 24/7 but they won't let a woman pick up her apartment key from her vehicle at 7pm, within minutes of the tow. My vehicle was towed from a plaza's half empty parking lot within minutes of me stepping away. The lot was still half empty when I returned. Called the towing company they said they'll be open for another hour. I asked the cost, when they told me I said ok. The guy sounded surprised I said ok because he knows the price is outrageous. Anyway I called them ten minutes after the initial call to say I'm on the way, the person who answered said they closed two hours prior. I guess he realized he could squeeze more money out of me by making the vehicle stay overnight. I explained my house key is in my ride can I at least pick up the key they said no. Any business who uses this company will get zero support from me in the future. That plaza will never see another dollar from me. If you want to work with evil that's on you, I won't be involved.

This business is doing something very illegal, they are taking peoples cars within minutes of parking violating the street signs!! Then charge $514 too take the car out the same day, these people are working with a taxi company the moment they take the car a taxi man appears right away asking you if you need a ride!!! These people are criminals and thief’s who deserve too have their business SHUT DOWN!!!!!!

My car was towed less than 30 minutes on yoshinyahs lot. I talked to the security guard and he bragged about how he let someone stay on the lot for 2 hours and how he got my vehicle towed. I was the only black woman out there. I believe he doesn't like black people. The security company was unprofessional wouldn't give me their names or no name tags or the security company's name. Terrible customer service and unprofessional business.

OWNER THREATEN ME WITH HIS GUN. I was trying to get my car back from this company and was met with disgusting treatment from he owner in the front desk. Not only did he throw my license and credit card on the floor and say "we are closed" when it was during operating hours, but he said "I have a piece," threatening me with his gun if we didn't leave. I tried to call the cops but to no avail. It's one thing that my car got towed, but it's another thing to KEEP MY CAR HOSTAGE IN THEIR LOT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PAY IT BACK. Horrible company and they need to be sued.

If you’ve just been towed, don’t sign the paperwork OR drive off of the property until they’ve let you check the car for damages. They damaged my car, but Mike harassed me into signing and into driving off of the property, threatening me to cancel the exchange and keep the car. Everyone who works here is terrible to talk to except for the drivers.

it does NOT matter if you parked there illegally or not. If the towing company doesn’t have the copy of written authorization from the property owner or its agent, then this company doesn’t have the authority to tow you. That form is required under California Vehicle Code §22658(l)(1)(C)(i) If they towed you, they owe you that form. If they didn’t give it to you, you can take legal action and get your money back. Metro Towing in Los Angeles has been illegally towing cars for years by not providing the legally required written authorization form before payment (CA Vehicle Code §22658). They intimidate and humiliate people, then use emotional reactions to deny help or call the police. Even if you realize it’s illegal, they’re counting on you not suing because it’s a process. Sue them!!!

Thought my car was stolen until I checked the tracker I keep in it and saw it was towed. Mike was confrontational and harassed me to move as I attempted to document the damage to my car. Cost $514 to get my car back with scratches and dents. They also put my car up against a junk car such that I couldn't even get a good look at the passenger door area. If you're going anywhere near Hollywood just take an Uber and avoid the den of snakes that is this company.

They towed my car despite being a customer on the burger king parking lot. The sign states 30 minute parking and I was there for less than 20, stepped away from my vehicle and it was immediately towed. Predatory company that is basically running a scam, no to mention the employee tried to fight me and my friend and hung up on us when we called them. I urge people to report this company to the better business bureau if you had a similar experience.

Went in store for 3 minutes came out and he hooked our car and then took pictures of him then he instantly told me I'll drop your car off you delete the photos. Then tried to steal another customers car that a had a receipt to be a customer. If you want a easy civil case lawsuit this type company is the place to sue

This towing company operates with inhuman disregard for the people they exploit. if you cant meet their fees they are allowed to steal your car!?!?! After my car was towed from a CVS lot, after i purchased something. I was met with exorbitant fees and a staff that treated me like I didn’t even deserve basic human decency. I explained that I couldn’t afford the $500 charge and was met with cold, dismissive answers like “Don’t waste my time.” Not a single person acknowledged me as a human being in distress. Their responses weren’t just rude they were robotic, corporate, and completely void of empathy. It’s clear they profit off people in vulnerable moments and take full advantage of a system designed to punish. This is the kind of place that makes you walk away feeling robbed. Do not give this company the benefit of the doubt. They hide behind policy and profit while stepping on people who are already down. I hope they go bankrupt and I will see you in court!!

Just imagine people whose job is to deliberately bring misery and trouble into others’ lives — charging $500 out of nowhere and acting like complete jerks who can’t even provide proper information. I was only able to get my car back with the help of the police. They took my payment but refused to release my vehicle because I wrote “Paid under protest” on the receipt. I genuinely wish every single employee here gets at least three times as much hardship in their life as they’ve knowingly inflicted on others.

They towed my car within minutes of me stepping away. When I went to pick it up less than an hour later, they still charged the full $514. The breakdown was outrageous—$275 towing fee, $137.50 release fee, $75 storage, and other made-up charges. I even have a photo taken at Carl's Jr. right before it happened to show the exact time. This company is clearly just out to exploit people. Stay far away.

This is a video of one of the employees with a crow bar getting inside the vehicle. When you get your car out make sure to check if everything is inside and check your vehicle for any damages. The price to take out the car was $550, even though one of the employees said it was $400 over the phone.

Just this apartment hotel and the trailer company. When you go up to deliver a meal and come down for a few minutes, your car will be gone. It has been towed away by them. It costs you 500 dollars to pick it up. Oh, my God, it's like stealing money. These people are so bad!

12/27 UPDATE: Submitted to BBB no response from the company, not shocked. Attempts to contact company via telephone unsuccessfully no answer at business. LAPD contacted due to harassment, waiting to hear back from a detective. If anyone has any idea who else to contact please comment and let me know. This place is a huge scam and needs to be shut down immediately. Original post from 11/27: Illegally towed my car, ripped the charging cord out of my Tesla in a public Tesla lot. Then refused to speak to me at the tow yard and only demanded payment, PLUS as I was leaving two two trucks trapped me on a main road and would not let me pass, two trucks stayed side by side and traveled 20mph under the speed limit not letting me or other cars pass.

The scammer in the photo is waiting under the hotel at 1201 S Hope St. I was delivering a BOTTLE of water to the 26th floor and while I was gone for 2 minutes he had already lifted my car. I parked opposite the lobby. I managed to leave the lobby but he had already lifted the car in a minute and demanded $275 cash or $500 after towing. I had to give him $275. Perhaps the employee at the hotel is in cahoots with him. I have a feeling that they are specifically waiting for food delivery people around the corner from this hotel.

These guys are the worst and DMV should cancel their permit for towing cars. They towed my car and when I visited the yard to pickup my car it was directly in contact with a Tacoma’s tow hook. I was calling 6 days continuously and all I heard was reach out to Tony. That Tony did not exist. CA DMV should take action against these thugs who wreck cars in the name of towing.

They towed my car when my car shouldn’t have been towed to begin with! I parked in a parking lot in which I was a patron of one of the bars and they didn’t believe me even though I had a receipt. But they didn’t care of course cause they only cared about getting their money for the towing. ON TOP OF THAT.. they damaged the front of my car with a gaping hole on One side and a scratch on the other of the bumper which I realized only the day after since we picked up the car at night. They are absolutely horrible in every way and it seems like this is a common issue.