‘Never pay upfront,’ towing manager warns after ‘scared and frustrated’ drivers left stranded in snow in sick scheme | AG96XHG | 2024-01-22 08:08:01
'Never pay upfront,' towing manager warns after 'scared and frustrated' drivers left stranded in snow in sick scheme | AG96XHG | 2024-01-22 08:08:01
Nichole Munson, basic manager of Munson Towing in Iowa, has stated the disturbing new development has seen drivers in want of a tow left ready with no assist
THE OWNER of a towing firm has warned of a new scam involving pretend Google listings that has left individuals stranded in snow.
Nichole Munson, basic manager of Munson Towing in Iowa, has stated the disturbing new development has seen drivers in want of a tow left ready with no assist arriving.
She claims a scammer has been posting very convincing Google business listings of towing corporations in the area earlier than a snowstorm hits, attracting the eyes of those that end up in want.
Individuals name the company and pay for providers over the telephone with a bank card, typically for a whole lot of dollars upfront, solely to by no means have a tow truck come to their assist, she provides.
Munson recalled a customer being scammed out of $2,000 by this scheme, having been left on the aspect of the highway for hours after their tractor-trailer turned caught.
After finding a pretend listing of her personal firm, she shortly raised the alarm.
Chris Hanssen, the towing supervisor of the corporate, stated that her largest concern was for the locals who're left on the aspect of the street freezing.
"What actually gets me about this, is with how low the temperatures acquired some nights, [the scammers] might have simply killed somebody," Hanssen advised The U.S. Sun.
"Because if these individuals are considering they'll get a tow in 30 to 45 minutes, they're clearly going to attend in their semi-warm automotive."
The shortage of empathy and concern for human life struck a chord for each Hanssen and Munson.
"[The customers] are clearly scared and annoyed. [The scammers are] sitting there like, 'Take a look at how much cash I received from these individuals,' whereas they're sitting in the cold ready for help," Hanssen stated.
The scammers have made multiple listings with pretend telephone numbers, having posed as different native towing corporations, the company alleges.
"I'm unsure the best way to cease them, and that's why I'm making an attempt to alert as many people as I can," stated Munson.
"I've referred to as different towing corporations and put it on social media and every little thing, it's so unhappy."
When Munson appeared on TV with KWQC, one of many reporters referred to as the pretend number on the listing and was met with a solution, displaying that as of January 17, the scammers have been still at giant.
To keep away from being scammed, Munson stresses the importance of cross-checking posted info.
"Do your due diligence and verify that the quantity on the web site matches the Google itemizing, as an alternative of simply pressing the 'call' button on the itemizing, because that's what was occurring," she stated.
"In a state of emergency you shouldn't have to try this since you'd never anticipate to be scammed, nevertheless it's necessary to be sure to're calling the correct individuals."
She additionally famous that a real towing company won't ever charge clients over the telephone, as costs differ depending on the severity of the rescue.
"Never pay upfront. Towing corporations will never take cost up entrance, because the state of affairs must be assessed before cost is taken," she strengthened.
"No other towing firm out right here will do this, as a result of someone may say, 'I just need a simple winching,' but in case you're 30 ft from the street, that's not a simple winch, so a reputable towing firm will all the time assess earlier than charging a customer."
Munson added that a cautious buyer can inquire about pricing, however a selected worth shall be troublesome to assess.
"You'll be able to all the time ask for a quote to offer yourself a tough concept, but we'll never cost you before we truly come get you," she stated.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Google for comment.
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