Don’t Fall Victim: The Ultimate Guide to Spotting and Avoiding Towing Scams Before They Strike

When your vehicle breaks down or you’re involved in an accident, the last thing you need is to become a victim of predatory towing practices. Unfortunately, predatory towing has increased 89% in the last three years, making it more important than ever to understand how to protect yourself from these costly scams.

Common Types of Towing Scams to Watch For

There are two common types of tow truck scams: predatory towing and bandit towing. Understanding these schemes is your first line of defense.

Predatory Towing: This involves unscrupulous tow truck companies that prowl parking lots looking for illegally parked cars and are quick to hook up your car even if you’ve only been gone a few minutes. These companies often have spotters who look for parking violators and quickly tow the offending vehicle to an impound lot.

Bandit Towing: This illegal activity involves operators swooping in immediately after an accident offering help when you’re most vulnerable, loading your vehicle onto their truck under false pretenses. Investigators call these “bandit tow trucks,” and while it’s not a new thing, the scam has begun to evolve.

Bait-and-Switch Pricing: In this scam, a tow service initially quotes a lower price over the phone or online, only to demand a much higher fee once they’ve towed your vehicle, often adding hidden fees or refusing to release your vehicle until you’ve paid in full.

Critical Red Flags That Should Raise Immediate Alarm

Recognizing warning signs can save you from becoming a victim. Here are the most important red flags to watch for:

• Unsolicited Arrival: If a tow truck shows up without being called by either yourself or law enforcement, that’s a big red flag, as legitimate towing services usually wait for requests before arriving at crash sites
• Suspiciously Fast Response: If the tow truck arrives too quickly after an accident, it’s suspicious because unless they were in the immediate vicinity, this might indicate that they’re monitoring police scanners to prey on accident victims
• Pressure Tactics: If a tow truck driver tells you which body shop your car is going to instead of working with you to identify where you want your vehicle to go, or tells you that someone will contact you by phone or asks you to sign documents
• Missing Information: Pay attention to whether their phone number is displayed prominently on their vehicle as required by many states – an unscrupulous tow truck operator may not display this information clearly
• Cash-Only Demands: Scammers often charge inflated fees for storage or require payment in cash before releasing your vehicle

Fraudulent Fees and Hidden Charges

One of the most common ways scammers exploit victims is through excessive and illegal fees. Labor fees and gate fees are both scams implemented to release a vehicle to an owner, and it is illegal in most states to charge a gate fee, a labor fee or a release fee.

The concern lies not just in losing your car temporarily, but also facing inflated charges when you try to retrieve it, with costs often coming under the guise of additional fees like ‘release fee’ and ‘storage lot fee’. Some towing companies may inflate their fees beyond a person’s auto policy limit or beyond a warranty reimbursement limit, forcing the individual to pay out of pocket.

How to Protect Yourself from Towing Scams

Prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath of a scam. Here are essential protection strategies:

Before You Need Towing:

• Never park illegally – one of the easiest ways to prevent unauthorized towing is to always park legally, as many predatory towing companies patrol busy areas looking for vehicles that are even slightly out of compliance
• Research state and local towing laws, like whether property owners must provide clear signage before towing, caps on fees towing companies can legally charge, and your rights to retrieve items from your towed vehicle
• Consider joining AAA or similar roadside assistance programs

During an Emergency:

• “First thing, if you didn’t request it, reject it. If you’re in an accident and a tow truck company shows up on scene that’s unsolicited, wait for law enforcement to arrive”
• Try to verify the legitimacy of the service provider by asking questions about the total cost (including mileage and fees), where they’ll take your car, and whether your insurance company or roadside assistance provider dispatched them
• Remember that legit businesses should always have phone numbers displayed on their trucks as well as provide written estimates before starting work
• Make sure the tow truck driver is the one you or police called, carefully read anything the tow truck driver asks you to sign, and make sure you know where the driver is taking your car

Choosing a Reputable Towing Service

When you need reliable towing services, it’s crucial to work with established, trustworthy companies. For residents in Alaska, Towing Company Wasilla, AK Tonka Towz stands out as a veteran-owned, family-operated business that prioritizes transparency and customer care.

Reputable companies like Tonka Towz believe in transparency when it comes to pricing, providing upfront pricing with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind knowing exactly what to expect. After more than 20 years in the United States Military, the family behind Tonka Towz decided to branch out into the towing industry as a veteran-owned, family operated company that is here for all your emergency moments on and off the road.

When evaluating towing companies, look for these characteristics:

• Clear contact information – reputable companies provide a business address and phone number, so beware of services that only use a generic hotline or lack an online presence
• Transparent pricing – honest companies provide upfront quotes without surprise fees
• Professional appearance – licensed tow operators use branded trucks, proper safety equipment, and courteous service
• Proper licensing and insurance
• Positive customer reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a towing scam, take immediate action:

• Contact your insurance company, as they can be a valuable resource if you suspect a scam, may have records of approved towing services and can verify whether the tow was legitimate, and sometimes can intervene on your behalf to challenge fraudulent charges
• File a complaint with the police or the BBB in the event of a scam
• File a complaint with organizations like the Better Business Bureau to leave a record, report the incident to local law enforcement so they can investigate illegal operations, and contact your state Attorney General’s office to file a consumer complaint
• Dispute unusual charges with your credit card company or bank and provide documentation like receipts showing inflated fees

Know Your Rights

It is important for consumers to know their rights, as there are state laws in place to protect people if a vehicle is towed while the owner is away, requiring operators to leave a sign at the scene with the towing company’s name, phone number, address, who requested the tow and the reason for towing.

In most states, the towing operator must release the vehicle even if the person cannot or will not pay the fee, however, the operator may take the case to civil court if he or she has a legitimate claim.

Stay Vigilant and Informed

Towing scams are real, and knowing the warning signs can save you a ton of stress. If your gut tells you something is off with a tow truck driver or company, it’s best to trust your instincts. Avoiding towing scams starts with knowledge and vigilance – by understanding common tactics and knowing how to verify towing companies, you can stay safe and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Remember, these scams are “preying on drivers at their most vulnerable moments—immediately after an accident—when they should be focused on their safety and next steps, not fighting to get their vehicle back”. By staying informed about these tactics and choosing reputable towing services, you can protect yourself from becoming another victim of these predatory practices.

The key is preparation: research reputable towing companies in your area before you need them, understand your insurance coverage, know your rights under local towing laws, and always trust your instincts when something doesn’t feel right. With these tools, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any roadside emergency without falling prey to towing scams.