As LA area wildfires burned, consumers said some companies fraudulently towed vehicles to the Inland Empire and charged thousands of dollars for their return.

After the Eaton fire leveled much of the Altadena community in January, an Altadena resident posted that a tow company called her husband in the middle of the night during the fire, claiming the city had authorized it to tow their car.

Weeks later, they were charged $3,000 to get it back.

Los Angeles County supervisor, Kathryn Barger, contacted the Inland Empire Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force.

She learned the Eaton fire was just the latest occasion when banded tow companies targeted motorists hauling cars to shops in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties and then holding them for ransom for thousands of dollars.

Barger said “Our residents have been through enough and I will not stand by as cruel opportunists try to take advantage of a vulnerable situation.” Last year, the task force investigated and charged 16 people accused of stealing money, property, and personal information in similar auto insurance fraud incidents starting in 2022.

Investigators don't have evidence that the fraud ring cases were connected to the Eaton fire.

The State Department of Insurance cautioned drivers to look for red flags.

Tow truck drivers may show up within minutes of an accident, ask the driver to sign documents, and then take the car to a specific body shop rather than requesting the driver's preferred shop.

Anyone who suspects a tow company is not legitimate should verify it with their insurance company or wait for the highway patrol to confirm it.

Drivers shouldn't sign any documents at an accident site without contacting their insurance company.

“Anyone who was contacted by a tow company under these suspicious circumstances, which include being asked to send a photo of their driver's license, or who is struggling to locate their vehicle are encouraged to report it to the Inland Empire Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force.” Officials don't know how many cars were fraudulently towed during the Eaton fire.

Barger's office said some wildfire survivors are still trying to recover their cars.

For CalMatters, I'm Debra Brennan.