Sacramento Drivers Reported Illegal Towing Incidents

Motorists faced high retrieval fees and vehicle damage after being towed during the Aftershock music festival.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Auto Parts

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a steel tow hook, symbolizing the tension of predatory towing practices in an urban environment. — Drivers in Sacramento have reported predatory towing practices by J&B Towing, leading to police scrutiny over vehicle damage and excessive fees. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you trust the legitimacy of towing companies operating in private parking lots in your area?

Drivers have reported that J&B Towing allegedly engaged in illegal towing practices during the recent Aftershock music festival in Sacramento. Victims claim their vehicles were removed and damaged, leading to a police investigation into the company's operations.

Why it matters

The situation raises concerns for local residents regarding predatory towing practices and the legitimacy of private entities operating in the region. Discrepancies between the company's official registration status and its business practices have sparked scrutiny from both victims and law enforcement.

J&B Towing charged a $562 fee for vehicle retrieval after cars were removed from Bercut Drive. The company is listed as active in the Department of Transportation Registration System but lacks other required California business licenses.

The players

Sacramento Police Department

This local agency is responsible for investigating the reports of illegal towing and managing the police files related to the incident.

J&B Towing

This is the towing firm currently under scrutiny for allegedly removing vehicles without authorization and causing damage to them.

Allied Universal

This private security and facility services firm was incorrectly named on towing authorization affidavits despite having no contract with the towing service.

The details

Drivers were directed to a shared office on Del Paso Boulevard to pay fees after finding their vehicles stored in a dirt lot lacking proper signage. Receipts provided to vehicle owners were missing essential information, including vehicle identification numbers and specific timestamps for the towing and release process.

The Aftershock music festival took place in October 2026.
The J&B Towing owner claimed the company was legitimate on October 9, 2026.
This report was published on October 10, 2026.

Roadmap

This incident exposes gaps in automotive business oversight, where companies may exploit state-level registration status to operate locally without full compliance. It highlights a recurring conflict where informal towing operators target major event crowds to generate revenue outside traditional industry norms.

Drivers in the Sacramento area should verify the identity of any towing company if their vehicle is removed and demand complete documentation including timestamps and VINs. Those affected by similar incidents should retain all receipts and file a formal report with local authorities to document the unauthorized charges.

The takeaway

Vehicle owners attending large events should prioritize using official parking and keep contact information for legitimate services handy to avoid predatory towing scams. Always verify that any towing entity has the required local business licensing and visible signage before paying any retrieval fees.