Scammers Posing as Tow Truck Companies Target Stranded Drivers

Scammers demand hundreds of dollars upfront, leaving drivers without help

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Scammers are posing as legitimate tow truck companies online and taking money from stranded drivers, according to a Michigan wrecker service owner. The scammers demand hundreds of dollars upfront, but then never send a tow truck to help the driver. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is investigating the scam.

Why it matters

This scam is targeting vulnerable drivers who are already in distress, leaving them without the help they need and out hundreds of dollars. It highlights the importance of being cautious when hiring towing services, especially through online searches, to avoid falling victim to these types of predatory practices.

The details

According to Bill Byers, owner of Byers Wrecker Service in Rochester, Michigan, scammers are calling stranded drivers and demanding $300 to $600 upfront before sending a tow truck. However, the tow truck never arrives, leaving the driver stranded and out the money they paid. Byers said the scammers sometimes even call legitimate tow truck companies, posing as customers or roadside assistance, after already collecting payment from the actual stranded driver.

  • The scam was first noticed by Byers about two weeks ago.

The players

Bill Byers

Owner of Byers Wrecker Service in Rochester, Michigan, who has seen multiple cases of this scam in recent weeks.

Mike Bouchard

Oakland County Sheriff, whose Computer Crimes Unit is actively investigating the scam.

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What they’re saying

“No legitimate towing business should ask money up front on a credit card.”

— Bill Byers, Owner, Byers Wrecker Service (fox17online.com)

“Any time they can get some kind of electronic payment or some other kind of methodology to get you to send them money without services, they're all about it.”

— Mike Bouchard, Sheriff, Oakland County (fox17online.com)

What’s next

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Computer Crimes Unit is actively investigating the scam to determine the source of the security breach that is allowing scammers to intercept calls intended for legitimate tow truck companies.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of being cautious when hiring towing services, especially through online searches, to avoid falling victim to predatory practices. Drivers should be wary of any tow truck company that demands hundreds of dollars upfront and should instead look for a legitimate, reputable provider.