‘Accident-chasers’ prompt warning to Alberta drivers about towing scams

December 16, 2024 Canuck

The Alberta Motor Association has launched an awareness campaign to help drivers know their rights when it comes to getting their vehicle towed.

Know Before the Tow is AMA’s response to a rise in towing scams, it says.

In October, Edmonton police charged an owner/operator of a tow company after he towed a car from the scene of a June collision in north Edmonton.

The man told the vehicle owner he would only release the car with a towing fee paid by an insurance company.

The tow company owner was charged with theft over $5,000.

The campaign highlights five rights it says drivers should know:

You have the right to refuse unsolicited towing services.
Unless otherwise directed by police, you have the right to choose who tows your vehicle, and where.
You have the right to access your vehicle to get personal items during a storage facility’s business hours.
You have the right to ask if the towing company gets a kickback for taking your vehicle to a particular storage facility or repair shop.
You have the right to a quote before service, and an itemized invoice prior to paying.

“These accident-chasers swoop in uninvited, they apply pressure tactics, and ultimately leave motorists facing huge fees,” Jeff Kasbrick, vice-president of advocacy and operations at AMA, said in a news conference on Monday.

“Predatory towing is a growing concern in major cities across the province.”

Kasbrick said the vast majority of tows in the province are lawful and with reputable businesses.

He said AMA wanted to address the concern about illegal towing because people might be needing tows more often during the cold and busy winter season.

“One occasion is one too many for us,” he said.

WATCH | Calgary city councillor wants stricter rules for ‘poacher’ tow-truck operators:

Calgary councillor wants rules for ‘poacher’ tow truck operators

1 month ago

Duration 1:45

Firefighters have reported high-pressure tow truck driver tactics that take advantage of car crash victims, but Coun. Peter Demong wants the city to create rules around these predatory practices seen in other jurisdictions.

Don Getschel, president of the Towing and Recovery Association of Alberta, supports the AMA campaign. He said the industry as a whole suffers from a few bad actors.

“We pride ourselves on helping people … The reason I started in the industry is because I like helping people and I got some personal satisfaction every time I was able to help somebody get back on the road or help them in a time of need,” Getschel said.

“To have somebody out there taking advantage of those Albertans and those people that are in a time of need, or in a vulnerable state moments after a collision, is just very unfortunate.”

Getschel told reporters that stiffer fines would discourage this behaviour.

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