AUTOMOTIVE
Beware of Towing Scams
Knowing your rights will help you avoid getting ripped off on the road.
By William Scott
Albertans in distress have the right to choose who tows their vehicle. | PHOTO: DAVID PEREIRAS/ADOBE STOCK
KIERAN HAMILTON had never even heard of the term “predatory towing” when he got involved in a collision in Edmonton last year. “Even before first responders arrived, I counted three tow trucks circling around,” he recalls.
Hamilton experienced the pressure tactics that unscrupulous tow truck operators use to coerce drivers in distress, which can result in the vehicle being held until large fees are paid.
Predatory towing is when a tow truck arrives at a collision or breakdown uninvited and uses high-pressure tactics to tow a vehicle. When Hamilton spoke with firefighters who arrived on the scene, they warned him about predatory tow truck drivers and told him not to fall for their tactics.
It’s unfortunate that a few bad apples can smear Alberta’s reputable tow truck industry. But you can avoid being scammed by those disreputable towers. Here’s what you need to know.
“If you are confident in your rights and stay calm, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of predatory towers.”
KNOW BEFORE THE TOW
Your towing rights in Alberta:
- You have the right to say no to towing services that you didn’t ask for.
- You have the right to choose who tows your vehicle, and where they take it, unless otherwise directed by police.
- You have the right to access your vehicle to retrieve personal items during a storage facility’s business hours.
- You have the right to ask if the towing company receives a kickback for taking your vehicle to a particular storage facility or repair shop.
- You have the right to a quote prior to service, and an itemized invoice prior to making payment.
AMA TO THE RESCUE
AMA operators will identify themselves and can verify some of your personal information, like your name and membership number. In major cities, AMA members receive an online tracking link, so you can monitor the assigned tow truck as it makes its way to your location. You will also see the operator’s name and estimated time of arrival. AMA operators will always provide a cost estimate if the tow service exceeds your membership’s coverage.
It’s AMA’s goal to empower Albertans with the knowledge and confidence to refuse unsolicited towing services, to choose where their vehicle is towed, and to know the costs up front. Bottom line: If you are confident in your rights and stay calm, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of predatory towers. Remember, you are in control. AMA