Towing Scams - Beware
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McDonald's / Tow Company Scam - Check out the towing scam in the video above.
This McDonald's had a spotter inside the restaurant watching people who parked in their parking lot then did not come into the McDonalds. My guess is the tow company is paying a kickback to the tow company as in the video within 3-5 minutes of the person parking, the tow truck arrives, hooks up to the car and tows it away. |
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It then costs the owner $250 or more to get their car back. This happened in each case this Inside Edition reporting crew set the trap for the scammers.
Here's how it happens:
In Brooklyn New York there are signs as if you're not a customer. You can get towed if you leave the premises for any reason or length of time. And holy cow do they mean it the moment. An Inside Edition Producer parked his car and walked off to another store.
There's the tow truck. Are you kidding me. This tow truck driver rolled in and hooked up the car. This took three minutes for the man's car to get towed.
And when another producer parked her car in the same McDonald's parking lot the same thing happened. Eight minutes later the tow truck driver was back. Wow. So how does he know just when to strike because he's lurking around the corner waiting for a call from this spotter who's hanging out at the McDonald's. We identified one of the spotters from inside the McDonald's. Sure enough. Here comes the tow truck.
It was towed to a nearby tow company. When we showed up the tow truck driver called the cops. So right now they're holding our car for hostage while we're waiting for the police to show up. Finally he opened the gates and released our car.
Ask for that spotter at McDonald's when asked if he was spotting people for tow, he retreated into the restaurant. When the crew tried to talk to the McDonald's manager they closed the door in their face.
Is it fair to be stalking vehicles and swoop in to tow somebodies car within minutes of when they walked away. Absolutely not. It's unethical. It's unfair.
The lesson here. Watch out where you park because some aggressive tow truck operators could be ready to pounce.
Now in most cities if you return to your car while it's still on the hook they are required to release the vehicle for a reduced fee. And that McDonald's we showed you says it is no longer using that tow truck operator.
In Brooklyn New York there are signs as if you're not a customer. You can get towed if you leave the premises for any reason or length of time. And holy cow do they mean it the moment. An Inside Edition Producer parked his car and walked off to another store.
There's the tow truck. Are you kidding me. This tow truck driver rolled in and hooked up the car. This took three minutes for the man's car to get towed.
And when another producer parked her car in the same McDonald's parking lot the same thing happened. Eight minutes later the tow truck driver was back. Wow. So how does he know just when to strike because he's lurking around the corner waiting for a call from this spotter who's hanging out at the McDonald's. We identified one of the spotters from inside the McDonald's. Sure enough. Here comes the tow truck.
It was towed to a nearby tow company. When we showed up the tow truck driver called the cops. So right now they're holding our car for hostage while we're waiting for the police to show up. Finally he opened the gates and released our car.
Ask for that spotter at McDonald's when asked if he was spotting people for tow, he retreated into the restaurant. When the crew tried to talk to the McDonald's manager they closed the door in their face.
Is it fair to be stalking vehicles and swoop in to tow somebodies car within minutes of when they walked away. Absolutely not. It's unethical. It's unfair.
The lesson here. Watch out where you park because some aggressive tow truck operators could be ready to pounce.
Now in most cities if you return to your car while it's still on the hook they are required to release the vehicle for a reduced fee. And that McDonald's we showed you says it is no longer using that tow truck operator.