When I first heard about this, I was like "wow".
But it is true, what I have been saying for more than 10 years, that some wrecker drivers, dispatchers and vehicle storage facility employees are stealing credit card numbers from motorist that need their vehicle towed or to pay the charges owed if placed into storage.
Last month on the 30th at approximately 3:30am in the morning, Jose C was driving
northbound through Austin and ran out of propane. Jose made it to a gas station and
called Austin Express Towing to tow him to the Uhaul place of business in order for him to
fill his truck full of propane so he could be on his way home to Hubbard, Texas.
An Austin Express tow truck arrived and towed Jose C,' truck to the Uhaul business on
Ben White to get propane for $90.00. Jose C paid the tow truck driver with a credit card,
after the payment was approved, the tow truck driver gave Jose C an Austin Express
Towing invoice #20416, the tow truck driver's name is Benjamin R, Guerrero.
On September 4, 2008, Jose C' credit card fraud protection department called telling the
Jose' wife of some irregular charges on their account and they cancelled the card number
on September 4th.
The first charge was on August 31, 2008 at 6:47pm from 5510 IH35 S Austin, which is the
Pizza Hut, The amount was $36.65 for a delivery at 4141 S Congress Avenue.
The second charge was on August 31, 2008 from 111 West William Cannon which is known
as the China Emperor for $54.20 to be delivered to 4141 S Congress Avenue.
The third charge was on September 1, 2008 at 11:30am from 719 West William Cannon Dr
which is Domino's Pizza for amount of $67.58 for delivery.
The investigation by the APD Wrecker Enforcement Detectives revealed an additional 5
charges totally $429.16.
What this incident tells us, is that some in the towing and vehicle storage facility industry
even being licensed by the Texas Department of License and Regulation are outright
criminal who could at anytime commit a criminal act without the average person even
knowing they were scammed.
Last month on the 30th at approximately 3:30am in the morning, Jose C was driving
northbound through Austin and ran out of propane. Jose made it to a gas station and
called Austin Express Towing to tow him to the Uhaul place of business in order for him to
fill his truck full of propane so he could be on his way home to Hubbard, Texas.
An Austin Express tow truck arrived and towed Jose C,' truck to the Uhaul business on
Ben White to get propane for $90.00. Jose C paid the tow truck driver with a credit card,
after the payment was approved, the tow truck driver gave Jose C an Austin Express
Towing invoice #20416, the tow truck driver's name is Benjamin R, Guerrero.
On September 4, 2008, Jose C' credit card fraud protection department called telling the
Jose' wife of some irregular charges on their account and they cancelled the card number
on September 4th.
The first charge was on August 31, 2008 at 6:47pm from 5510 IH35 S Austin, which is the
Pizza Hut, The amount was $36.65 for a delivery at 4141 S Congress Avenue.
The second charge was on August 31, 2008 from 111 West William Cannon which is known
as the China Emperor for $54.20 to be delivered to 4141 S Congress Avenue.
The third charge was on September 1, 2008 at 11:30am from 719 West William Cannon Dr
which is Domino's Pizza for amount of $67.58 for delivery.
The investigation by the APD Wrecker Enforcement Detectives revealed an additional 5
charges totally $429.16.
What this incident tells us, is that some in the towing and vehicle storage facility industry
even being licensed by the Texas Department of License and Regulation are outright
criminal who could at anytime commit a criminal act without the average person even
knowing they were scammed.
Motorists are urge to check your credit card statement if your paying a towing company or vehicle storage facility.
