Protect yourself against latest tow truck and wheel-clamping scams : Internet Scambusters #1,126
Tow trucks seem like the “white knights” of the road when they come to rescue you from a vehicle breakdown or after an accident.
But unscrupulous operators and even totally fake towing companies could be lurking around the next bend, stealing your money or even your car. Meanwhile, illegal vehicle clampers are cruising parking lots and streets looking to scam you.
In this week’s issue, we’ll give you the lowdown on the latest and most common towing and clamping scams, with tips on how to spot and avoid them.
Let's get started…
Tourists Targeted In Latest Tow Truck Scam
Tourists who suffer a car breakdown are being hit by scammers pretending to be tow truck operators.
Road-trippers who are away from familiar territory and don’t belong to car rescue organizations run the risk of being conned when they search online for a tow truck service.
Fraudsters, whose fake towing companies show up high in online searches, demand upfront online payments via credit card, leaving drivers high and dry, out of pocket, and out of luck for a rescue.
Last month, stranded drivers in Michigan who called numbers they found online were connected to what state police described as people with “out of the country accents” who demanded hundreds of dollars but never provided a rescue.
In other incidents, car owners have been returning to parking lots to find their vehicles have been towed without authorization by unscrupulous firms for supposed violation of parking restrictions. Then they’re charged a hefty fee to get their vehicle back even if they actually didn’t break any rules.
In similar situations, vehicles may be clamped – using so-called “Denver boot” devices – often on private land and will only be released once the victim pays up. Although several states have regulations to control wheel clampers, scammers usually ignore these, knowing the victim probably won’t be familiar with the rules.
They also usually know the rules and will scour parking lots for vehicles that infringe them, clamping or towing them without authorization.
Dodgy towing companies also patrol busy roads or wait in accident black spots and show up almost instantly after an incident, offering a reasonably priced tow, only for the driver to be hit with huge additional charges before their keys are returned to them.
Sometimes, they tow a vehicle that could easily be fixed in situ, such as having a punctured tire. Or they insist on taking you to a particular repair shop where they get a commission.
We covered towing scams in our issue #630, 10 Ways to Avoid Tow Truck Scams, with some useful tips from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). And in a later public service announcement the bureau has warned that some tow operators were using threatening behavior against people who asked them questions trying to verify they were legit.
NICB Chief Operating Officer Jim Schweitzer explained: “There have been some instances around the country where tow operators have become belligerent with auto accident victims who challenge or question their intentions. A legitimate tow operator will satisfy your concerns; an illegitimate one will not.”
If you’re threatened in this way, the bureau says you should call the police. Furthermore, they add, you should never allow a tow truck operator who arrived unsolicited to take your car.
Even if you (or the police) did summon them, don’t let them take your vehicle until they give you a price list covering all charges including storage fees, administration, and credit card usage charges. They should also provide documents showing where the vehicle is being taken if you didn’t choose the location.
Avoid the Tow Truck and Clamping Scammers
Here are some more tips to help you avoid towing and clamping scams:
- Make sure you know the rules about where you're parking, whether on public or private land. Take photos of signage and your parked vehicle. Record your time of arrival.
- Even if you unfortunately break parking rules and get towed or clamped, you need to check that your vehicle has been legitimately removed rather than by a maverick operator.
- Verify the credentials of any towing or clamping companies you're dealing with. If it's safe and appropriate, take a photo of their truck or clamp. Get the name of the driver and record the truck's license plate.
- If you or the police called for a tow, make sure the truck that shows up is from the correct operator.
- Consider joining a reputable car rescue organization like AAA or AARP. Your auto insurer or even car manufacturer may also provide rescue services, sometimes at a low cost or free. Local police may also have a list of reputable tow operators.
- If you must do an online search for a towing service, take a little extra time to check out the reputation of any local service you identify. Ask for prices and, if you have time, don't be afraid to check fees with more than one operator.
- If you have parking permits, such as those for residential or disabled parking, make sure they're displayed when appropriate. If you're visiting someone in a parking-restricted area, ask them if they have a visitor permit.
- Keep your proof of ownership and insurance documents before your vehicle is towed, to avoid the risk of theft.
- Don't pay with cash. Use a credit card that provides protection against scams. But, as mentioned earlier, find out if you'll be charged extra for using a card.
- If you're in an accident and your car is safe to drive, take it home or to a safe parking spot and deal with repairs and/or collection there.
Finally, if you believe you’ve been scammed by a tow truck operator or clamped, report it to the police and your insurance company and consider seeking professional legal advice.
This Week’s Alerts
Student loan relief: The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has just stopped a student loan relief scheme that it claims bilked victims out of more than $20 million by claiming it was affiliated with the Department of Education and charging for relief services it could not provide. The alleged incident serves as a timely reminder that you should always verify claims of affiliation to government departments.
Olympic scams: The Olympic Games start in Paris on July 26 and run through most of August. As we reported a couple of weeks back, scammers and scalpers are moving in on the event. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has just issued guidance on how to avoid the fraudsters, stressing “only purchase apparel from trusted websites, buy tickets from official sales or broker websites, make travel plans through trusted websites and agents, and ignore any emails or messages about the Olympics you did not initiate.” Read the full ITRC guidance for more details.
Time to conclude for today -- have a great week!