With inclement weather on the way, there is more to watch out for on the road than ice and snow. The insurer, Allstate, recently issued a warning about tow truck drivers who offer their services on the road when you haven’t called on them.

Here’s what Bucks has to say:

There’s a chance that those tow truck drivers will offer services at an extremely high price and or may keep your car hostage until you pay high towing and storage fees. A tow for a simple flat tire, for instance, could result in a $1,600 bill for towing and storage.

Take a look at these tips from Allstate for staying safe and avoiding scams this winter:

1. If possible, use a towing operator who has been screened by your motor club or roadside assistance program.
2. Don’t let a tow truck operator take you car unless your or a law-enforcement office called them.
3. Don’t provide your insurance information to a tow truck operator.
4. Check to ensure that the signs on the truck and the provided documentation are identical.
5. Have your car towed to your home or directly to a repair shop to avoid storage or additional fees. Scam artists have been known to take cars to an impound lot to benefit from the high storage fees.
6. Sign below the dollar amount (after thoroughly reading through the printed document) and not necessarily at the bottom of the document.
   

   Why? According to Allstate, some tow truck drivers may encourage the driver to sign the bottom of an agreement without a finalized towing price and “back fill” the invoice with miscellaneous fees and charges.

Have you ever been the unfortunate victim of a tow truck scam?

Many thanks to Bucks for the heads up!