Predatory Towing in Alberta: Red Flags and Rules

Most tow operators are honest people doing a hard job in bad weather at awkward hours. But a few take advantage of drivers at their most stressed: right after a collision, stuck in the snow, or stranded at night. Tow truck scams count on you being too shaken to ask questions.

You don’t have to be an expert to protect yourself. You just need to know what to watch for and what to ask. This guide covers the common red flags, the questions to ask any tow truck, and the simple steps that keep you in control of your vehicle.

Red flags to watch for

A truck shows up that nobody called

You’ve just had a collision or slid off the road, and within minutes a tow truck pulls up. Nobody you know called it. That alone doesn’t prove anything is wrong, but it’s a reason to slow down and ask questions before you agree to anything.

You don’t have to accept a tow from a truck you didn’t call. You can thank them and wait for the company you choose.

Pressure to sign right away

“Just sign here and we’ll get you out of the cold.” Be wary of anyone who rushes you to sign a form, especially one you haven’t had time to read, or one with blank spaces. A signature can be treated as agreement to a price or to where your vehicle is going.

If you’re pushed to sign before you understand what you’re agreeing to, don’t sign.

No price, or a vague one

“Don’t worry about the cost, we’ll sort it out later.” “It depends, we’ll see when we get there.” An honest company can give you a rough idea of the cost on the phone, and the price in writing before it hooks up your vehicle, once it knows where you are, what you drive, what happened and where the vehicle is going.

If a driver won’t give you the price in writing before the hook-up, treat that as a serious warning.

It’s not clear where your vehicle is going

You should always know exactly where your vehicle will be taken. Be cautious if the answer is vague (“our yard”, “a shop we work with”) or if the driver pushes a destination you didn’t ask for. Once your vehicle is somewhere you didn’t choose, it can be harder and more expensive to get it back.

You can’t tell who they are

You should be able to find out the company’s name and a way to contact it. If a driver won’t tell you who they work for, or the answer doesn’t add up, don’t hand over your vehicle.

You can usually choose who tows your vehicle

In most situations, you can choose who tows your vehicle and where it goes. That might be a company you trust, one your insurance company or roadside program recommends, or one you find yourself.

There is one important exception. If police direct a tow, follow their instructions. Police may need a vehicle moved for safety or other reasons, and their directions come first.

If anyone is hurt or the scene is dangerous, call 911 before worrying about the tow.

What to ask any tow truck

Before you agree to anything, ask these three questions. They take less than a minute.

What is your company name? Write it down, or take a photo of the truck showing the name and the licence plate.
What will it cost? Ask for the price in writing before anything is hooked up, and whether anything else could be added later.
Where is my vehicle going? Get the full address. If you want it to go somewhere else, say so.

An honest operator will answer all three without fuss. If you get dodges, pressure or anger instead, that tells you what you need to know.

Alberta’s towing rules since April 1, 2026

Alberta’s Vehicle Towing and Storage Regulation came into force on April 1, 2026. Under it, a tow company must:

Give you a written estimate of all towing and storage costs before your vehicle is taken. A text or an email is fine.
Get your consent before the tow, and keep a record of it.
Give you an itemized invoice before you pay.
Take the most direct route when it charges by the kilometre.
Let you get your belongings and inspect your vehicle free of charge.

These rules don’t cover tows ordered by police, a municipality or a private property owner.

Breaking them can mean fines of $100,000 to $300,000, or up to 2 years in jail. If a tow company doesn’t follow them, you can complain to the Consumer Investigations Unit at 1-877-427-4088.

Simple ways to protect yourself

Take photos. Before your vehicle is moved, photograph it from all sides, including any damage. Photograph the tow truck too, showing the company name and plate if you can.

Read before you sign. Read anything you’re asked to sign. Make sure the price and destination are written on it. Never sign a blank or incomplete form. Ask for a copy.

Take your valuables. Remove anything important from the vehicle before it’s towed: your wallet, documents, phone chargers, and anything you’d hate to lose.

Call your own help. If you have a tow company you trust, or a roadside program, call them. If your insurance company has a preferred shop or process, call them too, especially after a collision.

Tell someone. Let a friend or family member know where you are, which company is towing your vehicle and where it’s going.

Get a receipt. When you pay, get an itemized receipt that shows the company name, the price and what it covered.

After a collision

The minutes after a crash are when drivers are most vulnerable. You may be shaken, cold, worried about passengers or thinking about insurance. This is exactly when a predatory operator hopes you won’t ask questions.

Give yourself permission to slow down. Make sure everyone is safe. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Follow any instructions from police. Then decide on the tow calmly, using the questions above.

If your insurance company recommends a body shop, you can ask for your vehicle to be taken there. Our accident towing service takes vehicles from the scene to the shop or yard the driver chooses, including the one their insurer recommends.

How we do it

We built Towrescue around one promise: you get the price in writing before we hook up, and nothing is towed until you say yes. On the phone we give you a rough idea of the cost. Before the hook-up, we text you the exact price. You also choose where your vehicle goes: home, your mechanic, a body shop or a dealership.

If you want to know what goes into the price of a tow, read how much a tow costs in Edmonton, or see our pricing page.

The short version

Be careful with a truck nobody called.
Don’t sign anything you haven’t read, and never sign a blank form.
Get the company name, the price in writing and the destination before the hook-up.
In most situations you choose who tows your vehicle. If police direct a tow, follow their instructions.
Take photos, take your valuables and get a receipt.

Knowing these few things means you stay in control, even on the worst day on the road.

Questions people ask

What are the red flags of a predatory tow truck?

A truck shows up that nobody called, you're pressured to sign right away, there's no price or only a vague one, it's not clear where your vehicle is going, or you can't tell who they are.

What are Alberta's towing rules since April 1, 2026?

A tow company must give you a written estimate of all towing and storage costs before your vehicle is taken, and get your consent before the tow. Tows ordered by police, a municipality or a private property owner are exempt.

Can I choose who tows my vehicle?

In most situations, yes. If police direct a tow, follow their instructions.