Calgary police have laid charges against a 25-year-old Calgary man in connection with alleged predatory towing practices.
In December 2025, two insurance companies contacted the Calgary police regarding suspected fraudulent activity by two tow truck companies owned by the same person: Southway Towing and Country Side Towing.
The insurance companies have alleged that they made multiple attempts to contact the tow truck operators to make payment and recover nine vehicles, but did not receive a response or had to deal with significant delays.
Invoice amounts that included charges for services not provided and excessively high fees were delivered to the insurance companies, police said.
“Investigators believed this behaviour to be consistent with predatory towing practices and launched an investigation,” read a CPS news release.
Police eventually exercised a search warrant at a home in the 5000 block of 80 Avenue NE, and nine vehicles were seized.
The Calgary police said they will continue to work with the City of Calgary to enforce their newly amended traffic and street bylaws to deter predatory tow truck operators at collision sites.
Last year, Calgary city council approved new rules that could see $10,000 fines doled out to predatory tow truck operators.
“These operators are charging customers thousands of dollars in towing mileage, storage and administrative costs, among other fees. In some cases, tow truck operators are harassing customers involved at motor vehicle incidents to solicit tow services from them,” city officials said at the time.
As a result of the investigation, Hassan Ashraf Zahran, 25, of Calgary, has been charged with nine counts of fraud over $5,000, one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and one count of mischief under $5,000, police said.
Motorists who are feeling pressured by tow truck drivers are reminded that:
· Legitimate tow truck companies will not use high-pressure or fear-based tactics, and they will not charge exorbitant prices or additional fees on top of the tow cost.
· If you are involved in a collision and require a tow, wait for first responders to arrive on scene before agreeing to have your vehicle towed.
· Law enforcement agencies usually have existing partnerships with tow trucking companies. The CPS will facilitate tows for serious injury and fatal collisions.
· For non-injury collisions, people can choose to use a tow truck company of their choice if they do not wish to use a partner agency of CPS. Be sure to take a photo of the vehicle towing your vehicle and the licence plate of the vehicle.
