South African motorists have been warned of an increasing number of incidents where motorists who were in a car crash are duped into handing over their vehicles to tow truck services who are not who they claim to be.
These nefarious tow truck operators accost motorists while they are in shock after an accident, claiming they are working on the instruction of a valid insurer, said Juan Hanekom, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (Sambra).
They use sly tactics to convince these vulnerable individuals to hand over their vehicles, after which the cars are towed to a storage facility instead of an accredited mechanic as often purported, where hourly fees are subsequently charged for the “safekeeping.”
Upon discovering what happened and where their vehicles are, the victims are forced to pay dearly to get their possessions back as well as to get them towed to the workshop where they were initially supposed to go.
In the most recent case in Gauteng, a concerned mother alerted community members of the scam following an accident involving three cars her daughter had been involved in.
“She says that within minutes, tow truck operators appeared on the scene, asking if her daughter had insurance. One operator then handed the daughter a phone, claiming that her insurer was on the line,” said Hanekom.
“The person on the call warned her daughter that her airbag was at risk of inflating unexpectedly, posing serious danger if she attempted to move the car. The person also allegedly said that her insurance would not pay out if she continued to drive the car in this state.”
Thinking she was speaking to her actual insurance provider, as she was led to believe, the daughter was persuaded to have her vehicle towed for an “assessment.”
“Later, she discovered that the car had not been taken to an accredited repair shop but was in fact being held at a tow truck company’s premises,” said Hanekom.
Adding insult to injury, in order to release the car, the company was demanding a release fee of R12,900.
“Fearing she had been scammed the family approached the South African Police Service who were willing to accompany her to collect the car, but informed her that because she had signed a digital authorisation document – unaware of its full implications – there was little they could do,” said Hanekom.
“The form which was signed at the site of the accident was, in fact, a form giving the tow truck company authorisation to take the car and charge storage fees which accumulate hourly.”
Only you have your best interests at heart
Hanekom warns that while many towing companies operate professionally, a disturbing number take advantage of vulnerable motorists and this is definitely not an isolated case.
“These deceptive tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Motorists need to be aware that not all tow truck operators have their best interests at heart,” he said.
He therefore provided the following tips on what motorists can do in such a situation:
- Know your Insurer’s approved tow service – Many insurers have contracts with accredited towing services. Keep these details handy and insist you personally call your insurer or broker. Do not allow a third party to do this.
- Verify before you act – Do not take a call from an unknown number at face value. If someone claims to be your insurer, end the call and dial your insurance company’s official number directly.
- Check identification – Ensure that any tow truck operator on the scene is from an accredited service provider.
- Read before you sign – Never sign any document without reading it thoroughly. Digital signatures, in particular, can authorise charges you may not be aware of.
- Call for help – If you are unsure, call a trusted family member or friend for guidance before agreeing to any towing service.
“If you are in an accident, you must remain calm and follow the correct procedures to avoid unnecessary costs and stress,” concluded Hanekom.
“Motorists should be cautious and empowered with knowledge. By being aware of these scams and taking preventive steps, they can protect themselves from financial and legal headaches.”
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