A tow company is under fire after an employee was accused of overcharging an elderly disabled U.S. veteran more than the legal amount allowed in Texas.
The accusation comes from TikTok user Rique.turtle (Rique), a bystander who was there recording the incident and even spoke up for the veteran.
Rique is heard protesting and scolding the tow truck driver. “Charging a poor veteran on Veterans Day. That’s disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself.” In response, the tow truck driver pumps his arms.
When another bystander asks the veteran how much he was being charged for the drop fee, he stated $190. “Don’t pay more than $135, that’s the legal limit,” Rique says.
According to Texas state law, a towing company cannot charge more than $135 for a drop fee on vehicles under 10,000 lbs. Given that the veteran was driving a small Kia, the vehicle would fall under that range.
Outrage stews on Rique’s TikTok video: ‘How are they getting away with this?’
The response to Rique’s TikTok video boiled down to two points: People were angry that a company was trying to take advantage of someone and, worst of all, frustrated that it was an elderly, disabled U.S. veteran. Given the circumstances, people online did what they do best: They protested.
A few commenters were having trouble making the connection, though. TikTok user Brielle sided with the tow company. “Bros just doing his job lol,” she wrote. TikTok user Williamcarr635 brushed it aside too, arguing that rules were rules and if the disabled veteran broke them, then it’s “a valid tow.”
To both comments, Rique shot back, saying the problem was “illegally overcharging” more than the maximum drop fee allowed in Texas, not that some rule or other was broken.
Among the top comments, TikTok user Sonia claimed that the U.S. veteran was her stepfather and thanked Rique for recording the incident. When asked if the tow company charged him both a tow fee and a drop fee, Sonia said they did. This ignited more outrage in the comments.
Many TikTok users took matters into their own hands in response to the video. “Report the company to the Better Business Bureau,” TikTok user Jvasquez4997 suggested. Others suggested reporting the company to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, including Rique. Some recommended leaving a Google review. Another commenter even suggested contacting Texas’s State Attorney General.
According to Sonia, she is looking to contact the towing company as soon as possible. She stated in the comments that if they don’t answer her calls, she’ll “go in person.”
