Last time on Legalese… *cutscene* bad shit happens *intense music* other crap happens *cliffhanger*! … and now the conclusion.
Yep, that’s right, FINALLY the conclusion.
The investigator from the DOL emailed me yesterday to let me know that the towing company has now decided to not pursue the lien against me. (After I told them a number of times on the phone, sent them a certified mail letter including copies of the documents saying I’m not responsible, a DOL investigator telling them that my report of sale is valid and giving them 10 days to respond before further action is taken by the DOL.)
I’m extremely glad to have this whole deal over. However, I’m certainly going to be requesting copies of the reports the investigator has, for future reference in case this becomes an issue in the future.
It also is clear to me that the towing company was attempting to extract money from me because it would be easier than doing their job properly, and because they can claim what they like. It’s unfortunate, but they have the power in this situation. All they have to do is claim I owe them some money, and it’s my job to prove that I don’t, meanwhile they’re attempting to rack up fees against me because I didn’t pay them off the bat, and if I were to just ignore them, then they’ll go to collections and fuck my credit. I have been essentially at their beck and call, for no reason other than some other guy not being a responsible citizen. It’s an immensely frustrating situation.
I’ll also admit that for about the first week of this situation, while I was insisting to the towing company it’s not my deal, and not being able to find anyone with official capacity to tell them to knock it off, that it messed with my head. I was not a fun person to be around (my fiance can testify). That first weekend, I managed to get a little introspection time in and chose to let it go. I still need to fight it, I’m still not going to pay them, but I’m not going to let them make me into an angry person. Since then I’ve been doing a lot better, and am now quite happy to have the whole thing done with.
In any case, if you end up in a situation like this, if the tow company won’t back off, call the DOL right away and file a complaint. I waited a while and it just protracted the whole thing.