DCWP Wins Relief for Towing Company Victims

October 2, 2026

$66,500 To Be Made Available for New Yorkers Harmed by Breen Bros and Daniyyel Towing

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced the creation of restitution funds for New Yorkers who may have been harmed by overcharges and faulty recordkeeping by two separate towing companies. Consumers can currently claim $46,500 from Staten Island-based Breen Bros, while another $20,000 is available for Brooklyn-based Daniyyel Towing consumers. Predatory towing companies often deliberately avoid maintaining accurate records, fail to issue official receipts, or issue "blank receipts" to overcharge consumers and hide the paper trail.

“Having your car towed is almost always a universally stressful and unexpected experience. No New Yorker should have to head to the impound lot wondering if they’ve been overcharged or ripped off,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “The restitution funds secured for victims of Breen Bros and Daniyyel Towing are tangible wins that put money directly back in people’s pockets, and this agency will not hesitate to hold other bad actors accountable.”

Details of the Cases

In September 2025, DCWP began investigating Breen Bros, a tow truck company primarily operating on Staten Island. In May 2026, DCWP finalized an enforcement action against the company, which admitted guilt to 250 counts of recordkeeping violations. The settlement agreement secured $46,500 in restitution for consumers. New Yorkers who believe they have suffered harm in connection with Breen Bros should file a claim by December 31, 2026 by emailing ConsumerRestitution@dcwp.nyc.gov or visiting nyc.gov/claim-funds.

In June 2025, DCWP began investigating into Daniyyel Towing after receiving a high volume of consumer complaints, identifying 385 counts of recordkeeping violations and consumer overcharges. Consumers also reported being forced to pay in cash. In August 2026, DCWP finalized an enforcement action against the company, which provides $20,000 in consumer restitution. New Yorkers who believe they have suffered harm in connection with Daniyyel Towing should file a claim by August 1, 2027 by emailing ConsumerRestitution@dcwp.nyc.gov or visiting nyc.gov/claim-funds.

Towing Services in New York City

DCWP licenses businesses that perform “non-consensual” tows, including towing cars that:

Block private driveways.
Park on private property including private parking lots.
Are immobilized after an accident.
Are stolen, abandoned, or broken down.

Consumers whose vehicles are towed in these circumstances should check a company’s license status online with DCWP’s License Search Portal. Additional information is available in DCWP’s Towing Services Guide.

Vehicles may also be towed by government agencies, including the NYPD, the City Marshal, or the Sheriff. Information about vehicles towed by law enforcement is available through the New York City Department of Finance. DCWP regulates the City's Directed Accident Towing Program (DARP) and Rotation Tow Program (ROTOW), which oversee accident, abandoned and driveway-blocking tows. The agency also licenses businesses that boot vehicles on private property. Consumers can verify a booting company’s license or file a complaint at nyc.gov/dcwp.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Media Contact:
Stephany Vasquez Sanchez 
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection 
(212) 436-0042 
press@dcwp.nyc.gov