Pennsylvania Tow Truck Owner Faces Charges for Inflated Towing Costs
HARRISBURG, PA – April 18, 2024 – Attorney General Michelle Henry, in conjunction with the Allegheny County Police Department, announced criminal charges against Vincent G. Fannick, 56, the owner of Vince’s Towing, a Pittsburgh-based company. Fannick is accused of defrauding vehicle owners and insurance companies by inflating towing costs.
Fannick is facing a multitude of felony and misdemeanor charges, including 27 counts each of insurance fraud, theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and securing execution of documents by deception. He was arraigned, and bail was set at $25,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 3.
Investigators discovered a pattern of deceptive practices. Fannick is alleged to have inflated costs by not initially disclosing prices on invoices and subsequently charging accident services fees. These fees resulted in over $100,000 in overcharges for the 27 victims, who were charged nearly $300,000 in total.
“This defendant allegedly preyed on consumers already in stressful situations, first by hiding costs when asking for invoice signatures, then by inflating prices for short tow jobs,” said Attorney General Henry. “Predatory, deceptive business practices will not be tolerated in the Commonwealth, and business owners who harm consumers to line their pockets will be held accountable.”
Superintendent Christopher Kearns of the Allegheny County Police Department emphasized the impact on the community: “These actions targeted unsuspecting members of our community during their most vulnerable moments. We’re grateful for our partnership with the Office of the Attorney General throughout the course of this lengthy investigation.”
The investigation began in 2023 when a consumer reported that their insurance company was billed $11,390 by Vince’s Towing for a short tow which was never even requested by the vehicle owner. Of that amount, $4,250 was listed as an accident services fee. Law enforcement subsequently identified 26 additional consumers who were likewise overcharged between February 2023 and February 2024. Their insurance companies reportedly received bills ranging from $9,460 to $13,105 for individual, short-distance tows. One instance involved a $9,805 charge for a one-third of a mile tow.
Pennsylvania authorities have increased efforts to educate consumers about predatory towing practices. The Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority operates a public awareness campaign at www.knowyourtow.org. The Office of Attorney General previously collaborated with Bucks County officials in December to prosecute a tow company for similar offenses.
Fannick’s prosecution will be handled by Insurance Fraud Deputy Attorney General Grant Miller. It is important to note that all charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
