2/5/2024 - On Saturday, 2/3/2024, I, my granddaughter and her 5 y/o son were driving from Homewood, IL back to Madison, WI. It was 8pm when I pulled off I-90 West due to engine smoke. Several attempts were made by AAA to no avail. It was approximately 9pm when my granddaughter found Big Cheese 24/7 Towing on her cell. We were tired and cold, and had been warned by a cop that we would have to be gone in 2 hours or the car would have to be impounded. We were about 38 miles from Madison and Big Cheese took my debit card and license info. AAA called me back on my cell while we were making arrangements with Big Cheese. Big Cheese employee informed us if we cancelled, they would STILL charge us $400. Having no choice, we told them to come tow the car. We were told it would be a 45 - 60 minute wait.
While waiting, my husband came and planned to wait for the tow truck and my granddaughter's boyfriend picked us up and drove us home. At about 10:30pm, Big Cheese called to say the tow truck had a flat tire and it would be an additional 45 minutes. I called my husband to relay the information. About 15 - 20 minutes later they called again to say that it was too late and that we'd need to make an appointment for the following day (Sunday). I had them call my husband's cell since he was the one waiting for the tow truck, but I told them that that was unacceptable, and I felt like I was being scammed. As my husband was on the phone with Big Cheese, the cop returned. My husband explained the problems we were having as Big Cheese listened. The cop told my husband he would call a tow company for him, at which time my husband told Big Cheese that he was going to use the tower that the cop was securing and that we were cancelling the request for service and didn't want to be charged anything. Big Cheese promised to cancel and not charge us.
Jim's towing showed up and the delivered our car to a local dealership in Madison. The next morning, we checked our bank account and fund that they had charged us $15. The entire episode felt like scam, so we locked our debit card so no more money could be withdrawn. We looked up Big Cheese and the address listed is 1308 Spring St. #105, Madison, WI. If you are familiar with Madison, you know that would put a towing company in the middle of UW campus. We looked up the address and it is an apartment building with no space for a towing company or it's tow trucks. Also, if the name of your company is Big Cheese 24/7, how can it be too late to tow?
I spent all of today replacing my debit card (Associated Bank is going to try to get my $15 back), talking to DMV (because they have my license info), trying to remember all the streaming sites, online stores to make sure I updated my payment info. I had to put a freeze on my credit with Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, and tomorrow I was advised to contact Department of Workforce Development to make sure no one could open an unemployment claim with my information. I am in the process of adding a Verify ID so that if anyone tries to go to the DMV with my info, or get pulled over by the cops, they will have to produce the license and an additional proof.
It has been an ordeal; very upsetting and time consuming. Please read this cautionary tale and avoid Big Cheese as if you are severely lactose intolerant! If they aren't scammers, they are horrible business people. I hope my experience spares someone else going through a similar experience.
Stay safe, and be vigilant!
BUYER BEWARE!! DO NOT USE THIS BUSINESS - THEY WILL STEAL YOUR MONEY. They asked for cc info & id via text, charged the card with charges & never show up. Look at other reviews.
Horrible company. I waited HOURS after paying $430 and the driver never showed. He stated that he had been at my car, but this was untrue. He also stated that my keys were not in the car, but this was also untrue. I went back to my car to make sure that they were still there. This company is a scam and I would advise anyone and everyone to stay away. There was also mention of M&M Towing and this company also seems sketchy. Avoid both.
Wish I didn't have to give s star rating since they never showed up.
Went through the insurance company at 830pm. Was told 45 -75 minutes to come about 25 miles. Called the number provided and got a message thanking me for calling, but the mailbox was full. I waited for over 3 hrs and called insurance company to complain 3 times. Insurance company will look into their service and probably not be using them again either
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