Q. I left for work at about 6:15 a.m. one weekday morning and found my car was gone when I got home. I called the police, who said my car was parked in a construction zone and towed with six others. I heard from a neighbor that a tree-trimming company came by that morning to post no-parking signs that banned cars from noon. Isn't there a law to require more notice before a car can be towed? Where do I file a claim to get paid back for my expenses?

A. City officials require crews and contractors to post towaway signs at least 24 hours before the towing begins. In this case, Ty Fukumitsu of the city Department of Transportation Services confirmed that a street usage permit was issued on that day to a private contractor hired by the city parks department.

Police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said you can contest the parking ticket you received and send along any supporting documents or information you gathered. Fukumitsu said you can send similar information after requesting a claim form to the corporation counsel's office by calling 523-4639.

Clark Leavitt, of the city's urban forestry division, said he was surprised and sorry to hear your story and would look into it.

He said the parks department occasionally gets complaints about short-notice towing but includes the 24-hour notice in all its contracts so there is no confusion.

Q. I signed up awhile back for that service where you don't get telephone solicitors calling your house. But lately I've been getting calls from mortgage and catalog companies. What should we do if we still get calls?

A. You can verify that your number is on the registry at www.donotcall.gov or by calling (888) 382-1222 and following the instructions. If you're not registered for that service with the Federal Trade Commission, then you can register. You also can file complaints.

While the service limits most calls, it doesn't eliminate those from political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors and companies you do business with.

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