A towing company owner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with overcharging customers for short-distance tows. The owner, identified as Vince Fannick, is accused of charging customers between $7,000 and $13,105 for tows that were less than a mile. In total, Fannick allegedly overcharged 27 customers by more than $100,000.
According to a statement from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Fannick’s method of operation was to not reveal complete pricing on invoices while charging customers for “accident service fees.” In one case, a customer was charged $11,780 for a tow of less than a mile after being involved in a serious accident.
The District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into Fannick’s towing practices after receiving multiple complaints from customers. The investigation found that Fannick had been overcharging customers for tows since at least 2021.
Fannick has been charged with multiple counts of theft by deception and deceptive business practices. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 3rd.
If you believe you have been overcharged by a towing company, you should contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office or your local consumer protection agency. You may also be able to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
1. Contact the towing company and ask for the reason your car was towed.
2. If you believe your car was towed wrongfully, you can contest the action by filing a complaint with the towing company or with the local police department.
3. If you are unable to resolve the issue with the towing company, you can contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office or your local consumer protection agency.
