The state Consumer Protection Office has sued a Honolulu towing company, alleging it has padded mileage charged to customers whose cars have been towed.

The suit was filed yesterday against Hook-Up Towing Inc., a Sand Island-based firm.

Company spokeswoman Mary Jo Rivera declined comment on the suit, saying the firm is consulting with its lawyers.

The complaint alleges that Hook-Up does not take direct routes to its baseyard when towing vehicles from locations in the Atkinson Drive and Chinatown areas of Honolulu.

The tow trucks should take the most direct route and by charging customers for the longer routes, the firm "inflates the mileage charge assessed to vehicle owners," the suit alleged.

The Consumer Protection Office also charged in the suit that, contrary to state law, Hook-Up does not include the telephone number of the state's consumer information office on receipts given to customers.