Fraudulent Tow Truck Drivers – Don’t fall into the trap!

Tow-truck operators are regularly accused of using dodgy tactics to hook up accident victims’ cars, later demanding exorbitant towing, storage and security fees from the owners for the release of their vehicle.

A common trick is for a tow-truck driver to ask the often shocked crash victim which insurance company they are with, claim to be authorised by that insurer, and pretend to call that company on their (the tow-truck driver’s) cell phone, before assuring the driver that the tow is authorised.

The owner then signs the forms and lets the company tow their car away. Later, when they call their insurance companies themselves to follow up on the claim, they discover that no authorisation had been given.

We’ve even seen a well known insurance company fall for the tow-truck misrepresentation scam, where a random tow-truck operator claimed (lied) to be one of their preferred suppliers and after an administration nightmare it took them 17 days to retrieve a clients’ car.

It only works if motorists (or their insurance companies) make the “authorisation” calls themselves.
So, programme your insurance company’s tow authorisation number into your cell phone, make sure it’s the right number, and then, if you’re in an accident and your car needs to be towed, make that call yourself on your own cell phone.
Don’t let a “helpful” tow-truck operator on the scene make that call for you.