Towing Company Owner Charged with Fraud and Theft
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Allegheny County Police Department have filed charges against Vincent G. Fannick, the owner of Vince’s Towing, a Pittsburgh-based company. The charges include numerous felonies and misdemeanors related to inflating tow costs and engaging in deceptive business practices.
Fannick, 56, faces 27 counts each of insurance fraud, theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and securing the execution of documents by deception. Bail was set at $25,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 3rd.
Investigators discovered a pattern of inflating costs. Initially, the company didn’t reveal prices on invoices and then charged accident services fees. These fees alone cost 27 victims over $100,000, with total charges nearing $300,000.
“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,” Attorney General Henry stated. “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.”
The investigation began in 2023 when a consumer reported an exorbitant charge of $11,390 by Vince’s Towing for a short tow. This included a $4,250 accident services fee. Investigations found 26 other consumers were subject to the same scam between February 2023 and February 2024. Insurance companies were charged between $9,460 and $13,105 for single, short-trip tows. One instance involved a $9,805 charge for a one-third-of-a-mile tow.
Pennsylvania authorities continue efforts to inform consumers about predatory towing companies. The Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority’s public awareness campaign can be found at www.knowyourtow.org.
In December, the Office of Attorney General collaborated with Bucks County officials in charging a tow company with inflating costs. Fannick’s case is being prosecuted by Insurance Fraud Deputy Attorney General Grant Miller.
Note: All charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
