Dealing with auto repair shops in Iowa gets a bit safer

A new law that takes effect this week in Iowa means consumers won't be stranded indefinitely by auto repair shops holding their vehicles hostage while trying to collect extra money from them.

Senate File 2180 allows the Iowa Attorney General to intervene on behalf of the customer when an auto repair company is found to have kept their car unlawfully.

Iowa, like other states, has a law that allows car repair shops to retain the vehicle until the customer pays the bill. An investigator with the Attorney General's office noticed a recurring complaint from consumers about some companies taking advantage of the law.