Parking in some areas of Miami-Dade can be tricky, and drivers need to be aware to avoid designated tow-away zones.

The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Dept. offers this advice:

• If you enter a parking lot for a specific business, the property owner may have your vehicle towed if you leave your vehicle parked there and walk to another location.

• The towing service provider must accept at least two forms of payment -- cash, a credit card or personal check.

• Tow truck operators are not allowed to approach inoperable vehicles and offer towing services unless they've been summoned by law enforcement or the motorist. If you call or flag down a tow truck, get written confirmation of the charges before accepting the service.

• Tow-Away Zone signs must include the name and address of the towing service provider and the address of the storage facility.

• Towing service providers must report each tow to the police within 30 minutes. If you suspect your vehicle may have been towed or stolen, contact the police department.

• If you arrive at the scene while your vehicle is being towed and want it released on site, the tow operator has to release it for half of the towing rate, which currently is $101.

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