How To Identify & Avoid Dodgy Towing Companies

When you break down and find yourself stuck on the side of the road, the last thing you want is to face a towing scam. While you may be grateful to see a tow truck arrive at the exact moment you need one, it is better to wait for the one you have called yourself and that you know you can trust. To make sure you can avoid falling prey to one of these scams, read on to find out more about the kinds of towing scams in operation and how you can avoid them.

What Types Of Towing Scams Are There?

One of the most common kinds of towing scams is one that uses spotters who are positioned along the road and report back when they see a breakdown happen. Once they see your car break down, they report this so that the towing truck can be sent to pick you up. Once you give up your keys, they will demand large sums of money for the service.

Another common scam in towing is for spotters to look around private parking lots or around shopping centres and find any cars that are parked illegally. They will then report this to the tow truck company and go on to charge you extensive fees to get the vehicle back.

Finally, some scammers may target their operations at high-end vehicles since having a newer or more expensive car suggests that you will be able to pay the extortionate prices they charge. If you have an older car, scammers are likely to avoid you.

How To Avoid These Scams

The first thing to do is to take note of who is offering to help you. If the towing company seems to appear exactly when you need it without calling anyone, you should be suspicious. Generally, you should never accept help from a tow truck unless it is one that you have contacted yourself. Otherwise, you are likely to end up paying far more than necessary.

You should never give out your insurance details and only need to provide such sensitive information to your insurer. The towing company should not need this information and if you give it to them, it is likely to be used in further scams where they pretend to be your insurance provider to gain money.

Another tip is that you should always get your towing fees in writing to avoid paying any additional charges that you did not agree to. Don’t simply make verbal agreements – make sure you have written confirmation of any payments or agreements.

Finding A Trustworthy Company

In all cases, the best thing to do is contact a company yourself and wait for their help. Here at Outback Recovery Services, we can send a recovery vehicle to your location as soon as you get in touch, so make sure to contact us if you need help. We can even offer heavy towing and salvage services so don’t hesitate to get in touch!