Imagine your car overheats on a busy street. You call your insurance’s roadside assistance, expecting a standard tow and a quick repair. Instead, you're handed a costly lesson in misplaced trust. That’s exactly what happened to Andrew and Bernita Eke, an Atlanta couple whose simple request for a tow spiraled into a months-long ordeal—and a cautionary tale for anyone relying on roadside help.

Their story reveals a hidden vulnerability in a service most of us take for granted—and it underscores how easy it is to be taken for a ride, quite literally, by someone posing as a helpful professional.

 

These types of scammers use the guise of helpful professional to con you, leaving you in the same position – but with less money (Source: DALL-E)

 

When the Tow Truck Becomes the Trouble

When the Ekes’ 2005 Cadillac started running hot, they did what most of us would do: they called their insurance provider’s roadside assistance. A tow truck driver showed up, but instead of hauling the vehicle to a shop, he offered something different—he’d fix it himself.

“He said he could fix it that very day,” Bernita recalled.

Trusting the driver’s confidence, they wrote him two checks totaling nearly $500. That was the last time they saw anything remotely resembling help. Weeks passed. The car sat idle. There were no repairs, no receipts, and no sign the money had gone toward parts or labor.

“We don’t know what he did in the car,” Bernita said. “We know we’ve been taken.”

Unfortunately, they were right.

A Broken System: How This Happens More Than You Think

While this may seem like an isolated incident, consumer watchdog groups say it’s more common than most people realize. Roadside assistance programs often contract with third-party providers. These contractors are not always thoroughly vetted, and oversight can be minimal.

This creates a loophole where unscrupulous individuals can take advantage of stranded drivers—especially those in distress who are likely to accept help without question.  Most people assume that if someone is sent by their insurer, they can be trusted. But that’s not always the case.

The Good News: How the Story Turned Around

After the Ekes reached out to TrustDALE, our investigative team took swift action. We hired a reputable, professional towing company to transport the Cadillac to a TrustDALE Certified AAMCO center for a full diagnostic review.

The outcome? Bernita’s insurance company not only refunded her the $500 she had paid to the rogue driver, but also removed the towing company from its list of preferred vendors.

“It could happen to anybody,” Bernita said. “I really think he needs to be caught and dealt with.”

And she’s right. But thanks to persistence—and some help from the TrustDALE team—this scam didn’t end in total loss.

What You Can Learn from the Ekes’ Experience

Situations like this are avoidable—but only if you know what to watch for. Here are a few takeaways that can help protect you:

  • Never hand over payment to a roadside contractor unless it’s part of a verified service call from your insurer.
  • Ask for credentials and a receipt before agreeing to any off-the-books repair offer.
  • Call your insurer directly if the person who arrives suggests a repair rather than a tow.
  • Always get a second opinion from a certified mechanic before agreeing to unverified work.

Above all, remember this: Just because someone arrives in a tow truck doesn’t make them trustworthy.

Final Thoughts: Trust, But Verify

No one expects to be scammed by someone sent to help. But the Ekes’ story is a timely reminder that even in moments of crisis, it pays to stay cautious. If you’re ever in doubt, get a second opinion—and don’t hesitate to reach out to trusted consumer advocacy organizations like TrustDALE.

And if you’ve had a questionable experience with a service provider, don’t stay silent—sharing your story could protect someone else from becoming the next victim.

Stay safe, stay savvy—and always know who you’re trusting with your car, your money, and your peace of mind.