Protect Yourself: 3 Towing Scams And How To Avoid Them

Tow trucks and towing companies are an essential part of every community. After all, they provide a valuable and necessary service. We need someone to move vehicles that are disabled or improperly parked to keep the roads safe for everyone else. Tow truck drivers help people every day who might have locked their keys in their car or gotten their vehicle stuck in some deep snow. However essential their service is, when calling a tow truck, you need to be aware of how to avoid towing scams.

While most tow truck companies are composed of honest hardworking folks who provide an important service, as with every industry, there are bad actors out there who will lie, cheat and manipulate others for profit. Not everyone is aware there are predatory tow truck companies out there, sometimes referred to as “bandit” tow trucks. Towing scams are more common than some people might think.

These companies will employ unfair and sometimes illegal tactics to exploit unsuspecting motorists of their hard-earned cash. This article will lay out some of the most common towing scams, and some ways to know you are dealing with a reputable towing company.

Common Towing Scams

Hidden Fees

This is a tactic used by shady companies in all different industries intended to unfairly part honest people from their hard-earned money. Everyone has likely become a victim of hidden fees at one point or another. This sham works especially well for tow truck companies because once they have your vehicle on their tow truck, they have you on the hook, literally!

If you find that a towing service is offering very low rates, be suspicious. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! A dishonest tow truck company might lure unsuspecting drivers with an extremely low price only to tack on exorbitant additional fees and charges when it comes time to pay the bill.

To avoid the hidden fees trap make sure that the price of the towing service is laid out clearly and in writing before you allow the tow truck driver to hook your vehicle to their truck!

Unrequested Companies

Some perfidious tow truck companies may snatch up victims by arriving on the scene of an accident or vehicle breakdown and soliciting their services unrequested. If you accept their help, you may be at their mercy when they slap you with an extortionate bill.

Protect yourself from unsolicited towing services by making sure that the tow company that has arrived on the scene and is offering their services is one that has been called by your or your insurance company. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into accepting towing services from anyone and make sure that you feel comfortable when conducting the transaction.

Preferred Shop Scam

If you’ve been involved in an accident or your vehicle is disabled and need to get a tow to an auto shop you might ask the driver to recommend a reputable mechanic. However, be aware of a common scam that involves the tow truck company getting a kickback from the mechanics’ garage. In this scenario, the tow truck will pressure customers to use a specific auto shop for repairs. The mechanic will then overcharge for their services and give the tow truck driver a portion of the profits.

You should never feel coerced or pressured to use a specific mechanic’s garage by your tow truck driver. To avoid this common diddle, it’s usually best to do your own research and choose an auto repair shop on your own rather than taking the first recommendation from your tow truck driver.

Avoid Getting Scammed

It is truly unfortunate that there are so many towing scams out there. We have named a few in the above section to look out for, but the best way to avoid being swindled by a tow truck operator is to be prepared and proactive. Keep the following tips in mind if you need to call a tow truck.

Know The Laws

One of the best ways to protect yourself from predatory towing scams is to know the laws that surround parking and towing in your municipality. By knowing your rights and being firm in asserting them you can avoid many common grifts. Many people are taken advantage of simply because they are ignorant of the laws that exist which are meant to protect them.

Don’t Cave Into the Pressure

Much of the looting of the public by dishonest tow companies is done through the use of high-pressure tactics. Don’t let any representative of a towing company talk you into doing something that you’re not comfortable with. Never allow a tow truck driver to pressure you into hooking up your vehicle to their truck or taking your vehicle to a repair shop of their choice.

Review Documents

In the great USA documents and contracts are king! Make sure you have everything in writing and that all details of the arrangement are well documented before you agree to anything. You should have a clear invoice upfront detailing all fees and charges prior to accepting any towing services. Keep these documents for your records in case of a dispute.

While we’ve outlined some common towing malpractices and how to best guard yourself against them, most towing companies are reputable and trustworthy. Jimmy’s Spokane Towing is proud to offer a fast and reliable service 24/7. If you are in need of towing services, don’t hesitate to give us a call!