Mar 12, 2007 10:16 pm US/Central
Accident Chaser Takes Abuse Tactics To New Heights
Tow Truck Owner Allegedly Illegally Impersonating Cops
by Pam Zekman
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Jim Athans, owner of Collision Towing.
CBS
For more than a year, the CBS 2 Investigators have been exposing the accident chasers -- towing companies that rip off accident victims.
Pam Zekman reports on a chaser who has taken abusive tactics to new heights -- illegally impersonating cops to shake down accident victims for exorbitant fees.
The company is called Collision Towing, and it does a brisk business on the city's Northwest Side.
After his legally parked car was sideswiped last year, Luis Diaz says Collision Towing was on the scene with Chicago police. He says officers pressured him to hire Collision.
"They said if the city towed it, I was going to lose the car," Diaz saud. "If they tow it, they're very reasonable."
Reasonable? Hardly. A typical tow costs about $150.
But when Diaz finally reached Jim Athans, the owner of Collision Towing, he was told he owed $500 for towing and $50 a day for storage in addition to cleanup costs, winching and more.
The total was $975.
"I was appalled," Diaz said. "I was amazed. I was angry."
So angry that Diaz, an accountant, called CBS 2 for help.
"I don't think I should pay this astronomical ridiculous bill," he said.
But Diaz later wound up paying nearly twice that amount -- $1,800 -- after Athans made an incredible threat.
"He said that he was a police officer, and If I did not pay the money to get the car that he was going to have my license suspended," Diaz said.
To prove it, Diaz says Athans pulled out his wallet.
"He opened it up and there was a picture of him with credentials and a star," Diaz said. "And I saw it said 'detective.'"
Athans, however, is not a police officer.
"I believed him," Diaz said. "I was afraid."
CBS 2 asked Athans if he was impersonating a Chicago policeman to shake down car owners for thousands of dollars.
"No I am not," he said.
Last month another accident victim complained to CBS 2 that Collision Towing took his car without permission. He says the company claimed that police had authorized it to take the car.
Fred Montañez broke his foot in the head-on collision.
"I was carted away in an ambulance," Montañez said. "I was injured."
Montañez still managed to call his own towing company to remove the damaged car.
"By the time he showed up on the scene it was too late," Montañez said. "Collision Towing [had] already hooked the car."
A few days later Athans demanded he pay $900 to get it back.
"Collision Towing stole the car and then held it for ransom," Montañez said.
Athans told CBS that he is not overcharging people.
"I'm just a tow truck driver," he said. "That's all I'm doing."
But Jim Athans is in a lot of trouble.
It's a crime to impersonate a cop and Chicago Police Internal Affairs is investigating Athans and the police officers who help him.
As a result of CBS 2's earlier stories state officials are preparing legislation to license and regulate tow companies that specialize in accidents.
In the meantime, you should know that if you are in an accident you can call a tow company of your choice. Most people take the advice of their insurance company or car repair shop.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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