Attorney General's News Release

June 10, 2011

Attorney General Koster obtains restraining order against towing company for defrauding consumers in Joplin

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster announced today that his office obtained a temporary restraining order against a Kansas City towing company for violations of Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act in the aftermath of the May 22, Joplin tornado.

Koster said Independence Tow & Recovery, Inc., was towing semi-tractors and trailers that had been damaged by the tornado and then demanding an amount for towing that was considerably more than the fair market price in the area. In some instances, vehicles were towed without authorization of the owners.

“Unfortunately, there are always those who will take advantage of unsuspecting consumers during times of tragedy,” Koster said, “I want to continue to assure consumers that this office will be aggressive in going after those who engage in this illegal behavior.”

Koster said the court order prohibits the defendant from conducting business in Joplin, from disposing of or relocating any of the vehicles towed without written authorization of the owner, and from disposing of any documents related to the towing.