California Wildfire Victims Scammed By Tow Truck Companies

Imagine losing your home and most of your possessions in the Eaton Fire only to find a predatory tow company took your car and wants thousands for its return. Sadly, we’re not shocked considering how many scammers there are just taking vehicles and holding them ransom for money, even though targeting victims of a natural disaster is extra scummy.

Repair shop keeps a man’s car for over a year, racks up thousands in parking fines.

This outrageous practice is the focus of a new report from KTLA 5. The Los Angeles news station spoke with one of the victims who had two of his cars taken without his consent. The tow company said Los Angeles authorities contracted with them to haul away vehicles left in the fire zone.

Thinking the story sounded legitimate and unable to reach his cars, the guy agreed to have them towed. After all, it would keep them safe from damage as fire swept through the area.

But when he found out the people, who most definitely are scammers, wanted excessive fees to release his Chevy Tahoe and Toyota Prius, he realized he was in a serious bind.

The guy says his insurance company looked up the towing service and found it wasn’t licensed. Regardless, the scammers put a lien against the Prius, trying to force him to hand over the money they were demanding.

Thankfully, the insurance company was able to get the situation straightened out, but that’s not always the case.

We’ve seen plenty of predatory towing practices, both in regular car accidents and times of natural disaster. Usually, they’re done by individuals who aren’t licensed. What we can’t understand is why officials can’t or won’t go after these scammers.

The KTLA 5 report mentions police are investigating these tow companies. We hope they face consequences for trying to shake people down for big bucks, taking advantage of their desperation during the wildfire.

Image via KTLA 5/YouTube