Viral TikTok spurs complaints over San Antonio towing fees

Viral TikTok spurs complaints over San Antonio towing fees by Destany Fuller, Photojournalist: Dylan Scheid Thu, November 5, 2026 at 9:28 PM Updated Thu, November 5, 2026 at 10:57 PM 6 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Thousands of frustrated drivers are chiming in, after a viral social media post sparked outrage. Comment on this story 3 Comment Share story Share topics: TikTok San Antonio Towing Overcharging Creswell Towing Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Tow hearing SAPD SAN ANTONIO - A San Antonio towing company is facing accusations of overcharging drivers. Thousands of frustrated drivers are chiming in, after a viral social media post sparked outrage. Thousands of frustrated drivers are chiming in, after a viral social media post sparked outrage. "I want there to be so much awareness and so much knowledge out there that they don't get over on anybody else with this overcharging nonsense," said Kristina Richie, who took her frustrations to social media. She made allegations about being overcharged by Creswell Towing company to social media this week. "Two of my vehicles got towed on the exact same night from a parking lot in San Antonio, Texas — downtown," Richie said in the now viral video. The video, getting roughly 850,000 views on TikTok. "We came in, we parked, I kind of looked around. We were in a hurry. I wasn't really thinking too much about it. And we took off walking down to our event that we were going to at the Majestic that evening," Richie explained. "We left early. We weren't even there for an hour and a half. We came back and both of our cars were gone." Kristina and her husband's cars were towed out of a lot off of N St. Mary’s and E Martin St. But it’s not the tow the couple is upset about; they said it’s the hidden cost that came with it. Receipts shared with us showing the couple paid 358.61 for each of their cars; a grand total of $717.22. Richie, who used to own a tow company in South Carolina said something seemed off. "She tries to get me to pay for my bill and won't allow me to see what I'm paying for until after I pay it," she explained. "$358 per vehicle that they had for less than an hour and a half, maybe two hours maximum in their yard. $358, I'm like, 'this seems like a lot.'" In the state of Texas: "a license or permit holder may not charge a fee for a non-consent tow that is greater than a non-Consent tow established under the Texas Occupations Code" according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Statewide, that's a cost of $272 for a car weighing 10,000 pounds or less. State law also allows cities and municipalities to set their own fee. San Antonio's fee is $175. The Richies were charged the state fee. "There was also another bogus charge on my bill of $25, and it was called a private property administrative tow fee," Kristina said. We reached out to Creswell Towing to get their side of the story. After calling, we were left on hold for more than 12 minutes without an answer. We also tried showing up in person but were asked to leave the property. Richie said she's reached out to both the TDLR and SAPD to file complaints. Now, she's taking her concerns to court. "In the state of Texas, if you get towed, you can file a tow hearing," she explained. "You can ask to have somebody look at your bill and make sure that you were not overcharged." If she wins, Richie could get her money back and Creswell could receive hefty fines Trending Dozens of undelivered ballots found in dumpster at Seattle park The ballots have already been reissued to the affected voters. Eastland family loses control of Camp Mystic A federal bankruptcy judge has stripped the Eastland family of control of Camp Mystic, installing two independent overseers as the camp faces a criminal probe and wrongful-death suits tied to the July 2025 flood. Night out turns violent as gunfire erupts outside La Cantera-area business Night out turns violent as gunfire erupts outside La Cantera-area business 1 dead, 1 in grave condition after shootout with police at Alamo Ranch San Antonio police are investigating an officer-involved shooting on the far West Side near Lone Star Parkway and Alamo Ranch Parkway. One person is dead, another is hospitalized in critical condition. No officers hurt. Nearly 32 kilos of suspected cocaine seized in traffic stop; suspect taken into custody A traffic stop along Interstate 10 in Guadalupe County led to the seizure of nearly 32 kilograms of suspected cocaine and the arrest of a Laredo man, according to the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office.The sheriff’s NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 5 NEW Soggy weather and low temps coming to San Antonio area, potentially bringing flooding 3 NEW San Antonio takes on Portland following Wembanyama's 52-point game against Sacramento 13 NEW Porch Fest brings live music, community to the Beacon Hill and Alta Vista neighborhoods! 3 San Antonio City Council members seek limits on SAPD cooperation with ICE