Why are repossessions done late at night or early in the morning when people are sleeping? The industry would likely say that it's because more cars are at people's homes when people are sleeping. This makes some sense. They would also likely say that it is easier to avoid confrontation when people are sleeping. While it is true that cars are most often at home during the night, they are also often home in the early to later evening when people awake but home for the night. Moreover, the notion about it being easier to avoid conflict while someone is sleeping is turned on its head in Massachusetts. Here's why. In Massachusetts, we have a law that says that the repo man cannot come onto property you own or rent to take your vehicle without your permission. Consequently, a repo man will usually wake you up and attempt to get the keys from you rather than simply tow the car from your driveway. That means getting you up out of bed in your pajamas for a late-night confrontation: Hardly a scenario designed to avoid trouble. Even putting aside the issue regarding the time of a repossession: this practice is generally illegal because a repo man needs your permission before he steps onto your property, not after.
So the bottom line is that a repo man cannot come onto your property late at night--or at any other time--to take your car without your permission. However, if your car is parked on the street, there is likely no issue regarding what time of day or night your car is towed away.
You can find more about car repossession law in Massachusetts here.
*Note: If your car has been repossessed in Massachusetts, we might be able to help. However, due to high call volume after I posted information here about Massachusetts car repossession, we must first receive the completed form found here: http://www.mass-legal.com/repo_quest.asp. We will review your matter confidentially and free of charge.
