Officials at the California Department of Insurance are warning Southland residents of a “vehicle hostage” scam involving tow truck companies targeting motorists involved in traffic accidents.
In a Tuesday news release, department officials said the scam, which bilks drivers out of large sums of money to get their vehicles back, has become rampant in Southern California.
“One of the scams in this case involves a tow truck showing up immediately after a collision occurs and offering to help the driver by towing their vehicle to a body shop,” the release stated. “Then the body shop forces the driver to pay a large amount of money typically not covered by your insurance in order to get your vehicle back.”
In a sweeping investigation by CDI’s Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force, 16 people were charged in an alleged conspiracy to create fake insurance claims that illegally collected nearly $217,000.
Officials said the same ring were charged in similar scheme where vehicles were stolen under false pretenses and delivered to California Collision in San Bernardino.
Red flags that drivers involved in a traffic accident should be aware of include:
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Tow trucks that arrive moments after an accident, even if you haven’t called
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Tow truck driver tells victim which body shop they’re car is going to
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Tow truck driver informs victim that someone will call or asks for a signature
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Tow truck driver requests a ride share for the victim
Anyone who believes they may be a target of this illegal scheme is encouraged to verify the tow truck company with their insurer or wait for California Highway Patrol to confirm that they dispatched the tow truck. Lastly, do not sign any documents until the tow truck company has been confirmed.
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“This type of scam is preying on drivers at their most vulnerable moments—immediately after an accident—when they should be focused on their safety and next steps, not fighting to get their vehicle back,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. “Our department is committed to protecting Californians from fraud.”
For more information on how to protect yourself or to report suspected fraud, contact the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 or online at insurance.ca.gov.
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