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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Countless crashes across the metro during Wednesday’s wintry weather kept towing companies busy for most of the day.

But drivers in Kansas City, Mo., beware – city officials say there are rogue towing companies out there who are breaking the law and charging outrageous prices.

“You see it every single day of every single week,” said Nathan Pare, division manager for tow services in Kansas City.

Pare said predatory towing companies race to wrecks, listening to scanners and showing up at crime or accident scenes unsolicited to offer their services.

“Legally that`s the issue with these people,” Pare said. “As soon as they get that consent from the owner to tow their vehicle, all bets are off. It`s no different than you hiring a plumber or roofer for your home.”

“As soon as they consent for this tow, they can charge whatever they want to charge, and that`s where they`re taking advantage of people.”

Pare said a typical tow that would cost a flat rate of $265 if hauled away by a city-approved company, can instead end up costing someone up to $1,200.

“For a single mother with two kids, that’s significant,” he said. “When they find out that [$265] was the option on the table and they end up paying $1,200, they’re absolutely furious, and why wouldn`t they be?”

It's something GT Tow truck driver Rodney Wilborn, whose company is contracted with the city, sees often.

“It`s kind of like the wild wild West,” Wilborn said of unauthorized towing companies. “They charge whatever they want.”

It’s a method that's actually illegal. By showing up unsolicited, those other companies are breaking both Kansas City ordinance and Missouri state law, and they can be ticketed by police.

“Everybody is trying to feed their family,” Wilborn said. “We just go about it in different ways.”

Pare told FOX 4 it's the Kansas City police who should be enforcing the law.

“From one accident scene to another,” Pare said, “it`s up to the officer to use their discretion to see what`s in the best interest of the citizens and everyone that`s involved.”

Stacey Graves, a KCPD spokesperson, told FOX 4 their officers are watching for unauthorized tows by looking for the city-issued stickers on back windows.

“KCPD encourages our residents to be aware of the potential for unauthorized tow trucks offering their services, some charging inflated rates to tow vehicles,” Graves said in a statement.

“While we are watching for unauthorized tows, please keep yourself safe by verifying and agreeing upon a fee prior to your car being towed by a private company. In the case where a driver is transported by ambulance or otherwise, be assured KCPD will call for an authorized City tow with a set upon, reasonable rate for the towing of vehicles.”

Graves continued, “If you are unsure, KCPD will call for a non-preference, verified/licensed by the City tow truck to remove your car from the scene of an accident.”

But Pare claims KCPD’s enforcement is inconsistent, and has been so for many years – often leaving it up to you, the driver, to protect yourself.

“If you’re going to be in that situation, you need to ask questions,” Pare said. “What is this going to cost me? Where is it going to go? What are we going to do? Get something in writing.”

FOX 4 also reached out to some of the companies accused of predatory practices, whose owners insisted they're doing nothing wrong.

One owner said higher prices are actually often the fault of the drivers for not knowing the various other fees that come with towing a car, such as multiple tows, storage and cleanup. He said people also tend to overestimate their insurance coverage and should ask how much it will cost them out-of-pocket.