Last Updated: December 19, 2025
Breaking down on the side of the road is stressful enough without worrying about becoming a victim of predatory towing. New enforcement in 2025 has revealed widespread non-compliance among Ottawa tow truck operators, with 168 charges laid in just the first few months of the year. Understanding your rights under Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) and recognizing common tow truck scam tactics can save you thousands of dollars and significant headaches.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa Police laid 168 charges against tow truck operators in early 2025 for TSSEA violations. Common scams include predatory towing at accident scenes, inflated fees, and unauthorized vehicle storage. New Ontario laws require written consent, posted rates, and clear pricing. Know your rights and verify any tow truck before allowing them to touch your vehicle.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | Ongoing enforcement starting January 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Ottawa and all of Ontario |
| 🎟️ Cost | Victims report fees of $5,000+ for vehicle release |
| ⏰ Time | Accident scenes, breakdowns, private parking lots |
How Tow Truck Scams Work in Ottawa
Predatory Towing at Accident Scenes
The most aggressive scam targets vulnerable drivers.
The Tactic: Tow truck operators monitor police scanners and emergency channels, racing to accident scenes before you’ve even called for help. They arrive within minutes, claiming to be dispatched by police, your insurance company, or roadside assistance.
What Happens: Once your vehicle is hooked to their truck, you’ve lost control. The operator takes your car to an unauthorized storage facility, where daily storage fees accumulate rapidly. When you try to retrieve your vehicle, you face bills exceeding $5,000.
Real Impact: According to California’s Department of Insurance, which issued warnings about similar “vehicle hostage” scams in February 2025, victims search for their missing cars while storage fees rack up thousands of dollars. The longer operators hold your vehicle, the more they profit.
Private Parking Lot Schemes
Not all predatory towing happens at accidents.
Common Scenarios:
- Shopping at a plaza while your car is in a neighbouring lot
- Parking violations where tow trucks patrol aggressively
- Confusing or inadequate signage about parking restrictions
- Immediate towing without reasonable warning
The Problem: While property owners have towing rights, some tow companies exploit this with excessive fees and inconvenient storage locations. You may find your car towed across Ottawa with retrieval fees far exceeding the parking violation severity.
Illustrative image only.
The Storage Facility Trap
Once your vehicle enters unauthorized storage, the clock starts ticking.
How It Works:
- Tow operator takes vehicle without proper consent
- Storage facility charges daily fees (often $100+ per day)
- Multiple additional fees added (gate fees, administration, inspection)
- You’re pressured to pay immediately to stop fee accumulation
- Total bills quickly reach thousands of dollars
Legal Grey Areas: Even when towing is technically legal, predatory operators exploit the process through inflated rates, hidden fees, and inconvenient locations that make it difficult to retrieve your vehicle quickly.
Warning Signs of Tow Truck Scams
Red Flags at the Scene
Be immediately suspicious if:
Unsolicited Arrival: A tow truck appears before you called anyone. Legitimate tow services don’t monitor scanners to find customers.
No Operator Number: The truck lacks a clearly visible operator license number on the side. This is required by law in Ontario.
Pressure and Urgency: The operator insists you must decide immediately or pushes you to hand over keys before you’ve verified their credentials.
Claims of Authority: They say they were “sent by police” or “dispatched by your insurance” without you making any such call. Always verify these claims independently.
Refuses Written Information: Won’t provide a business card, written estimate, or official documentation before starting the tow.
Manipulative Behavior
Not all scammers are aggressive.
False Kindness: Some operators appear helpful and supportive, making you feel they’re looking out for your interests. This builds trust before revealing excessive fees later.
Creating Fear: Suggesting your vehicle is blocking traffic, creating safety hazards, or must be moved immediately before proper authorities arrive.
Destination Control: Refusing to take your vehicle to your preferred repair shop or storage location, insisting on their contracted facilities.
Your Rights Under Ontario’s TSSEA
Written Consent Required
The most important protection.
The Law: A tow truck operator must obtain your written consent before towing your vehicle. Without your signature on a Consent to Tow form, they cannot legally charge you for services.
Exceptions: Law enforcement may direct towing without your consent in specific situations (blocking traffic, DUI arrests, accident investigations). Even then, police choose the towing company, not random operators who show up first.
What This Means: Never hand over your keys or sign anything under pressure. You have time to verify the company and understand the costs.
Clear Pricing Requirements
No surprise fees allowed.
Operator Obligations:
- Provide a written quote before moving your vehicle
- Post all fees clearly, including storage rates
- Cannot charge more than rates filed with Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation
- Must provide itemized breakdown of all charges
Payment Methods: Operators cannot insist on cash-only transactions. They must accept multiple payment forms.
Your Choice of Service
You control the towing decision.
Your Rights:
- Choose which towing company to use
- Decide where your vehicle is taken
- Refuse service from any operator
- Call your own roadside assistance or insurance company
Exceptions: Police may direct towing to specific operators in designated tow zones on major highways (400-series, 401, QEW) where only authorized companies can operate.
Illustrative image only.
How to Verify Legitimate Tow Trucks
Check for License Numbers
First step in verification.
What to Look For: All legitimate tow truck operators in Ottawa must display their provincial license number clearly on the side of the truck. This is not optional.
If Missing: A tow truck without visible operator numbers is a major red flag. Refuse their services and report them to Ottawa Police immediately.
Verify the Dispatch
Never take their word for it.
If They Claim Police Sent Them: Call Ottawa Police non-emergency line (613-236-1222) to verify. Police can confirm which towing company they dispatched.
If They Claim Insurance Sent Them: Call your insurance company directly using the number on your policy card, not a number the tow truck operator provides.
If They Claim Roadside Assistance: Contact your roadside assistance provider (CAA, etc.) directly to confirm dispatch.
Request Documentation
Before agreeing to anything.
Ask For:
- Company name and business address
- Driver’s identification
- License number
- Written estimate of towing and storage costs
- Destination address for your vehicle
Legitimate Operators: Professional towing companies understand these requests and provide information readily. Scammers get evasive or aggressive when questioned.
Keep Possession of Your Vehicle
Don’t let them hook your car.
Important: Once your vehicle is hooked to their truck, you lose negotiating power. Keep your keys until you’ve verified the company is legitimate and agreed to the service.
If Uncomfortable: You have the right to refuse service and call a different towing company. Don’t let pressure tactics force you into a decision.
Ottawa Police Enforcement Actions
2025 Compliance Checks
Widespread violations discovered.
The Results: Starting January 1, 2025, Ottawa Police conducted comprehensive compliance checks on tow truck operators. Their findings were alarming:
- 168 charges laid against multiple companies and drivers
- 4 out of 6 companies violated TSSEA website and social media posting requirements
- 16 yard inspections completed
- 13 out of 16 storage facilities found non-compliant with TSSEA
What This Means: The majority of tow truck operations in Ottawa were operating illegally or non-compliantly. This enforcement demonstrates the scope of the problem and the need for driver awareness.
Violations Found
Common non-compliance issues.
Website and Social Media: Companies failed to post required information about rates, services, and consumer rights on their online presence.
Storage Facilities: Most vehicle storage yards didn’t meet TSSEA standards for operations, fee posting, and consumer protection.
Licensing and Insurance: Violations of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA) and Highway Traffic Act (HTA) were discovered.
What to Do If You Need a Tow
Before the Breakdown
Prepare in advance.
Get Roadside Assistance: CAA membership or insurance company roadside assistance connects you with vetted towing providers. This is the best protection.
Save Numbers:
- Your insurance company
- Your preferred towing company
- CAA or roadside assistance provider
- Ottawa Police non-emergency: 613-236-1222
Know Your Coverage: Understand what your insurance or roadside assistance covers for towing distance and storage.
During the Breakdown
Step-by-step protection.
1. Move to Safety: If possible, get your vehicle and yourself to a safe location away from traffic.
2. Call Your People First: Contact your roadside assistance, insurance, or chosen towing company before anyone else.
3. If a Tow Truck Arrives Unsolicited:
- Don’t hand over keys immediately
- Ask who called them and verify independently
- Check for visible operator license number
- Request written documentation
- Take photos of the truck and driver
4. Document Everything:
- Photograph the tow truck and operator number
- Take pictures of your vehicle’s condition
- Record the operator’s name and company
- Get written estimates before agreeing
5. Get Written Consent Form: Before the operator moves your vehicle, they must provide a Consent to Tow form. Read it completely and ensure you understand all charges.
If You’re in an Accident
Special considerations.
Your Rights: Even at an accident scene, you have the right to choose your towing company unless police specifically direct otherwise for traffic or safety reasons.
Police-Directed Towing: If police arrange towing, they’ll tell you which company they’ve called. This is legitimate. But random operators arriving and claiming police sent them are lying.
Insurance Considerations: Your insurance may cover towing to an approved repair facility. Don’t let a tow truck operator pressure you into going to their preferred body shop.
High-Risk Areas in Ottawa
Where Scams Concentrate
Be extra cautious in these situations.
Downtown Ottawa: High traffic, frequent accidents, and parking enforcement make downtown a hot zone for predatory towing.
Kanata and Suburbs: Shopping plazas and private parking lots see aggressive towing from lots with confusing signage.
Bridge Areas: Gatineau bridge approaches and connection points are monitored by operators looking for breakdowns and accidents.
Highway Access Points: On-ramps and off-ramps to Highway 417 and other major routes attract predatory towers who monitor for accidents.
Reporting Suspicious Towing
Where to Report
Multiple channels available.
Ottawa Police Service:
- Non-emergency: 613-236-1222
- Report suspicious behavior at accident scenes
- File complaints about aggressive or fraudulent operators
Ontario Ministry of Transportation:
- Online complaint portal for TSSEA violations
- Visit ontario.ca for the towing complaint submission system
Your Insurance Company: If an operator claimed to be dispatched by your insurer, report the incident so they can investigate and warn other customers.
What to Document
Build a strong complaint.
Gather:
- Photos of the tow truck and operator number (or lack thereof)
- Driver’s name and company information
- Time, date, and location of incident
- Any paperwork or estimates provided
- Names of witnesses
- Video if possible
Why It Matters: Individual reports may not result in immediate action, but patterns of complaints help authorities target problematic operators for enforcement.
If You’ve Been Victimized
Immediate Steps
Act quickly to limit damage.
1. Don’t Pay Immediately: Even though operators pressure you with accumulating storage fees, take time to understand your options. Paying under duress doesn’t waive your legal rights.
2. Review All Documentation: Check the Consent to Tow form you signed (if any). Look for discrepancies between quoted prices and actual charges.
3. File Police Report: Contact Ottawa Police to report the incident. This creates an official record even if immediate resolution isn’t possible.
4. Contact Your Insurance: Your insurance company may have processes for dealing with predatory towing and might advocate on your behalf.
5. Document Everything: Take photos of your vehicle’s condition, save all receipts and paperwork, and keep records of all communications.
Recovery Options
Possible recourse.
Small Claims Court: For disputes under $35,000, you can sue the towing company in small claims court to recover excessive fees.
Ministry Complaint: File a formal complaint through Ontario’s towing complaint portal. Systematic violations can result in license suspension or revocation.
Media and Public Attention: Local news outlets often cover consumer protection stories. Public pressure can sometimes result in refunds or settlements.
Legal Action: For significant losses, consult with a lawyer about civil action against the towing company.
Realistic Expectations: Recovery is difficult. Many predatory operators operate on the edge of legality or dissolve companies when facing consequences. Prevention remains the best protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tow truck take my car without my permission?
In most circumstances, no. Under Ontario’s TSSEA, you must provide written consent. Exceptions include police-directed towing for public safety, traffic obstruction, or legal impoundment. Private property owners can arrange towing for parking violations, but even then, proper signage and notification requirements apply.
What if I already signed the consent form under pressure?
Signing under duress or without full information about costs may give you grounds to dispute charges. Document the circumstances, file a police report, and consult with legal aid or a lawyer about your options. The 2025 enforcement shows authorities take these violations seriously.
How can I tell if a tow truck operator is licensed?
Check for a clearly visible operator license number on the side of the truck. This is mandatory under Ontario law. You can also ask to see the driver’s credentials and verify the company’s license status through the Ministry of Transportation.
Can I choose which repair shop my car goes to?
Yes. You have the right to specify where your vehicle is towed. The operator cannot force you to use their preferred body shop or storage facility unless law enforcement directs otherwise for specific legal reasons.
What should I do if a tow truck shows up at an accident before I called anyone?
Don’t hand over your keys. Ask who called them and verify independently by calling that organization yourself. Check for visible operator numbers. If anything feels wrong, call Ottawa Police and your insurance company before allowing them to take your vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Tow truck scams exploit drivers at their most vulnerable moments. The 2025 enforcement actions in Ottawa revealed the scope of non-compliance in the industry, with the majority of operators violating consumer protection laws.
Your best defence combines preparation with awareness. Know your rights under the TSSEA, have roadside assistance coverage, and never let pressure tactics force you into decisions. Legitimate towing companies understand that professional drivers need time to verify credentials and understand costs.
The few minutes you take to verify a tow truck’s legitimacy can save you thousands of dollars and significant stress. When you’re broken down or in an accident, remember: you have rights, you have choices, and you have time to make informed decisions.
Stay safe on Ottawa roads, and don’t let predatory operators take advantage.
Source: Ottawa Police Service, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, CAA North & East Ontario
For more safety information, check out our Door-to-Door Construction Scams warning or explore other articles in Ottawa Beware.
