They lurk in the darkness each night while students attend to the many responsibilities a college education entails. Feeding and preying on the wallets and mental security of college kids, the tow truck company is an entity hated as fiercely as the Michigan Wolverines themselves.

The recent experience of having my vehicle towed has led me to believe the men who make their living robbing from innocent people and temporarily stealing individuals’ cars are truly heartless.

I am no better than anyone else, and I do not feel like I deserve special treatment, but I was forced to endure an unnecessary ordeal. As if getting my 1986 Audi relocated to a dark, ominous storage lot was not enough inconvenience, I also was lied to repeatedly by the towing company.

When I discovered my car missing at 2 p.m., I called the company that patrols the parking lot in my apartment complex.

“We don’t have your vehicle. If it was here, we’d have it on record; we’re required to report the cars within two hours after they come in. You need to contact the Columbus police,” an unnamed man said.

I called the police and learned my car was not reported “towed” by any companies.

“Your car might be stolen; you need to fill out a police report as soon as possible,” the operator said.

Before conceding that I lived in an unsafe neighborhood and believing someone would take my car, I called the tow company again.

“We don’t have your vehicle. We report any car that comes through our doors within two hours. You need to contact the police,” the same unnamed man said in his callous, inconsiderate tone.

I had to go to class and was unable to file a police report at the time. Being blindly optimistic, I returned home and decided to call the tow company one last time. I was told the same thing and was relegated to calling the police and reporting my vehicle stolen. While all this was going on, I was missing work, losing pay and jeopardizing my employment.

The police officer did not take the time to ask for the description or license plate number of my Audi.

“This is a little scam the tow companies have to make owners leave their car overnight and rack up storage fees.” he said. “They have your car; you need to go down there and physically look for yourself.”

I called the tow company for the last time in attempt to spare myself a wasted trip. I was told, “We don’t have your vehicle.” I shouted some expletives and decided I was going to check anyway.

Peering through the fence, I could make out several vehicles. Each car sat there like a dog at a pound waiting for its owners to claim them. My car was there; I had been lied to on several occasions although I gave the tow company my license plate number and car’s description.

I had to get my car, so I paid the $102 fee. My car was towed around 4 a.m. the night before. Their excuse was that the year of my car was listed incorrectly and caused the misunderstanding and subsequent lying about their possession of my vehicle. There was nothing I could do.

I checked every source for legal options. The police said nothing could be done. My rental company said it was not its problem. Student Judicial Affairs tried to be helpful but did not know what could be done.

Lying and cheating goes without repercussions in today’s society. I am not the only victim – a quick survey revealed nine of the 10 subjects’ vehicles had been towed. But I wish I was the last.

Something needs to be done to eradicate campus of equivocal business practices and unnecessary towing. When the solution is brought to light, it will be my privilege to fulfill my journalistic responsibility of disclosing the information.

Greg Moore is a junior in journalism. He can be reached at [email protected].