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Trucker Booting Scam – Know The Law. All across the country there is a new scam going on. Tow companies are setting up illegal booting traps. Unaware to the property owner, illegal tow companies will set signs on parking lots that say “No Semi Truck Parking”. In many cases the signs are hidden and not well lit. When an unsuspecting trucker pulls in to the empty parking lot for a few hours of rest, the trap is sprung. Many time the signs might be quickly installed after the trucker has already laid down for some sleep. Then comes the knock on the door and the tired truck driver is awaken to a boot or a barnacle attached to his semi-truck.
The ransom to free your rig
Now comes the cost to get your truck back. These fees are very high and most truckers can not afford to pay the tow truck driver. These fees can cost up to $2500 just to have the boot removed. This is a scam and is very illegal.
Know the law
Being this is a new scam for the past couple of years, laws and those that enforce the laws are not always clear on what to do. The first thing you should know if that the tow company if acting in a legal manor will have a contract with the property owner. The signs will also display the name of the two company that is suppose to be monitoring the property. If the tow company can not show the legal paper work authorizing them to boot your rig, then they are most likely not in contract and you have been caught in a scam. Keeping a copy of the law in your truck will also help you especially if you call the police. Be prepared!
How to avoid these scams
You cant avoid every scam but here are some tips to avoid these illegal tow companies. The first and foremost step would be to avoid any parking lot that has a sign that states “No Semi trucks”. Even if you suspect the tow company does not have a right to enforce it, you might think twice about pulling onto that property. Getting booted by someone that is not allowed to being doing so will create much aggravation and loss of time that it is not worth it. Just go on down the road and look for a more safe place to bed down for the night.
- https://www.overdriveonline.com/parking-perils-the-increasing-cost-and-risk-of-booting-and-towing/
- https://cdllife.com/2019/truckers-parked-in-a-walmart-lot-wake-up-to-boots-a-500-fine-and-a-1-hour-time-limit-to-pay-up/
- http://talkcdl.com/embarrassment-to-trucking/
- http://talkcdl.com/trucking-stats-and-those-governing-truckers/
- http://talkcdl.com/d-o-t-answers-tough-truckers-questions/
- http://talkcdl.com/semi-trucks-in-pa-trucker-birthdays/
- http://talkcdl.com/goldilocks-truckers-carrier-advice/
- http://talkcdl.com/trucking-the-bloodsucking-lawyers/
TalkCDL trucking Podcast
The new year is upon us and TalkCDL trucking Podcast would like to hear from you. We would like to put you on the show if you are wanting to share a real good trucking story. We would love to hear from a retired trucker. If you drove americas highways for a long time and would like to come on and talk about the old times, please contact us at Troy@talkcdl.com. TRUCKER BOOTING SCAM – KNOW THE LAW
