This Tow Truck Scam Is Making a Bad Michigan Winter Even Worse

Winter driving in Michigan is already stressful enough. Between snow covered roads, pileups, and the occasional slide into a ditch, getting into a crash or breakdown can feel overwhelming. The last thing anyone needs in that moment is to be taken advantage of.

But, it’s happening. There’s a new scam involving fake tow companies that is popping up across Michigan, and it is catching drivers when they are most vulnerable.

According to a Michigan wrecker service owner who spoke with WXYZ in Detroit, scammers are posing as legitimate towing businesses online, collecting payment from stranded drivers, and then disappearing.

In one recent case, a driver was left sitting on a dirt road north of Rochester for six hours after paying more than $300 to what they believed was a real towing company. But, no truck ever showed up and by the time the driver realized what happened, the money was gone and help never came.

That is the biggest red flag. No legitimate towing company should be asking for hundreds of dollars charged to a credit card before a truck is even dispatched. While some real companies do require a small upfront fee to prevent no-shows, those fees are typically in the range of $50 to $75. Not hundreds of dollars.

In some cases, the scam goes even further. Suspected scammers have been calling real towing companies or roadside assistance services, posing as customers or dispatchers, and requesting a tow for the people they’ve scammed. By the time the truck arrives, the scammer has already taken payment from the stranded driver and vanished leaving them to have to pay a second time for a legitimate tow.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Computer Crimes Unit is now actively investigating these incidents. But, if you believe you are being targeted by a fake tow company, experts say to hang up immediately and do not pay over the phone. Take a breath and look for another towing service.

You can also call your local police department or sheriff’s office. Many agencies can help connect you with a legitimate towing company in your area.

Michigan drivers already deal with enough during winter. This is one situation where slowing down, asking a few simple questions, and trusting your instincts can save you from making an already bad day much worse.