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The con man is suspected of preying on vulnerable Eaton fire victims by fraudulently towing cars in the first few days of devastating flames and demanding excessive fees to retrieve them. Authorities said.
Luika County Supervisor Katherine Berger issued a statement Monday urging Altadena residents who were contacted under suspicious circumstances to report their experiences to the Inland Empire’s Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force.
“I don’t think it’s disgusting that these fraudulent tow companies exploited fire survivors in times of distress,” Berger said. “The people behind this abominable scheme must be accountable and put to justice.”
A news release issued by Burger’s office said from January 7th to 10th that the operator of The Truck was incorrectly signed by an Altadena official. They then tow the car to a private location, charge a large fee and send it back to the owner.
Victims were often asked to provide tau truck bandits with photos of their driver’s licenses. Some of these vehicles were stored in Riverside or San Bernardino counties, authorities said.
Last week, the California Department of Insurance announced public services regarding an increase in vehicle hostage fraud involving tow truck companies targeting motor vehicle accident drivers.
According to the department, these con artists usually appear shortly after a collision occurs and offer to assist the driver by towing the vehicle to a specific body shop. The body shop then forces the driver to pay a large amount of money that is not normally covered by insurance to retrieve the vehicle.
A common red flag to watch: a tow truck that appears within minutes of an accident. Drivers insist on bringing the car to a specific body shop. The driver asks you to sign the document. And drivers who will request ride share on your behalf.
“This type of fraud preys on drivers at their most vulnerable moments right after an accident. They should focus on their safety and the next step, not fighting to get the vehicle back.” Insurance Secretary Ricardo Lara said in a statement. “Our department is committed to protecting Californians from fraud. This PSA is a key step to ensuring drivers know the warning signs and how to protect themselves.”
An investigation into a tow truck fraud ring recently brought charges against 16 Southern California residents. The ring has been accused of engaging in multiple schemes, including creating fraudulent insurance claims to illegally collect more than $200,000, holding hostages and intentionally causing conflicts. .
Members of the same ring were previously billed on a similar scheme, including vehicles that were towed in false pretenses and brought to a body shop in San Bernardino County.
Eton Fire survivors who believe they targeted the tow truck bandits are asked to contact sergeant. Regina Galei (909) 919-2242 of the Inland Empire’s Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force.
Other tow truck victims can contact the state health department for assistance at (800) 927-4357.
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