I know this post isn't about the typical W2 job like most discussions on here, but hopefully this counts. This is presently an ongoing issue.
I drive for uber, usually four 12 hour days a week. I usually get on the road at 6AM then travel north close to DC before traffic comes in. Usually one of my rides ends up going there anyway, then I do rides there rest of the day. No other jobs pay enough, even this doesn't tbh and I'm heavily reliant on it, but it's the best I can do. I do like Ubers freedom and not having to worry about sexual harassment in retail like I used to.
Today started normal. I drove toward DC, dropped them off at an apartment in northern VA. I then went to get something to eat for awhile across the street, when I returned I saw police vehicles and my car being towed away. I asked the Cops what's going on and told me they had a call from one of the complex managers that my car was parked overnight. I explained to them that was impossible. The manager who made the call had received this info from a tenant, and believed mine was the car they were referring to. Since they couldn't confirm a mistake since the tenant left for the day, the cops sided with the caller and said the towing was lawful and they were doing their duty. They said I can retrieve my car for a fee of $100.
I spent the last 6 hours calling advice from legal/other sources, trying to find a solution, but apparently in Fairfax everything that happened was by the book and there's ZERO protection for the victim (me). One officer saw my ID showing I lived elsewhere, but said that's not enough to counter the claim, so the tow was viewed as reasonable concern, and deemed valid.
My car is my job and they want $100 to get it out, and will charge me a penalty for each day it sits. Even Uber won't help. In fact, I was almost kicked off because the bad customer service barely understood what I was saying.
I'm also nowhere near where I live and miles away as you can see here:
Distance to Fairfax click here for map
So for needed income, and in order to get back home, I need my car out. I can't approve to borrow, I don't know anyone, the cops won't help, lawyers say there's nothing(at least in Fairfax), Uber won't help, so what do I do?
I've been stuck out here for hours. I'll never be going into Fairfax again! Now I'm learning the area is pretty infamous. It's already past 5PM I've lost rides and barely make it week to week as it is with nothing to spare.
I also live far away, so having my only means of transport tied up creates a big problem.