Unfortunately, you can’t trust every tow truck driver that you meet. Apparently, tow truck scams are rampant in California as officials warn drivers. Some operators have been holding cars hostage from drivers. 

California tow truck scams are raging out of control 

Officials from the California Department of Insurance are warning drivers about vehicle hostage scams. Tow truck companies are aggressively targeting drivers after accidents. 

They won’t give people their cars back until they are forced to pay a large sum of money. A wrecker may show up moments after a wreck occurs and offer to take the vehicle to a body shop for the driver. 

Then the shop owner refuses to give the vehicle back until they get paid a large amount of money. The money is not covered by insurance. 

According to Yahoo, an investigation by CDI’s Inland Empire Automotive Insurance Fraud team charged 16 people with an alleged conspiracy to create fake insurance claims. The suspects may have illegally collected $217,000. 

Officials shared that the same ring was charged in a similar scheme where vehicles were taken under false pretenses to California Collision in San Bernardino. 

The following examples could be signs of a tow truck scam:

• Wreckers show up moments after the accident, even if they weren’t called 
• The operator tells you what body shop your car is going to 
• The operator informs you that you will receive a phone call or asks for a signature 
• The operator requests a ride share with you 

If you think a scammer is targeting you then verify the tow truck company with your insurer or contact the California Highway Patrol to see if they requested the dispatch.