A new scam is raging on the roads of France. As the sunny days return and the days get longer, perhaps you are getting ready to go on vacation or simply hit the road. Be careful because there are scammers out there for repair companies with the aim of scamming and stealing money from motorists in distress. Faced with this tow truck scam which has already caused several victimsLuc Le Baron, professional troubleshooter and vice-president of the troubleshooting branch of the Mobilians professional union, launched an alert on the microphone of South Radiothis March 23, 2024.
What is the tow truck scam?
Motorists are regularly the target of scammers, as we have already seen with the flat tire scam, the so-called “Irish” scam or even the bank note scam placed on the windshield, which is also making a comeback these days. In the same vein, crooks have developed a scam which targets motorists who find themselves broken down on the road, reports Numerama. These malicious companies spot accidents and breakdowns that occur in real timethanks to Waze and similar applications.
“Posted in certain strategic locations“, the lying repairers rush to the scene before the repairers mandated by the motorist’s insurance or the police, explains Luc Le Baron to South Radio. Only once their intervention is completed, the scammers add services, fees or surcharges in order to inflate the bill. In addition to these exorbitant services, the company can keep the vehicle and charge a guarding fee if the driver refuses to pay. An all the more trick difficult to get reimbursed given that the company is not the one mandated.
How to protect yourself from a tow truck scam?
But then who is behind these repair companies who run faster than their shadows and deceive motorists? “They are real troubleshooters but they intervene on their own, in unfair competition. They claim to come from the police or assistance“, specifies Luc Le Baron. Some invoices exceed hundreds of euros, even thousands of euros.
To avoid being fooled, the professional troubleshooter advises vehicle owners to ask the name of the repair company which is about to intervene, once in line with the insurance or the assistance service. If the troubleshooter who arrives first presents another identity, this should be a red flag. Luc Le Baron explains that it happens that the mandated company calls the owner itself to prevent it of his identity and his arrival time. However, in general, it is better to always remain vigilant and on the lookout for possible bad tricks.
Sources:
- ZFE: what will ultimately change? – We Talk Auto – South Radio
- Vehicle broken down on the road: this tow truck scam is claiming more and more victims – Numerama