Crooks drive around neighborhoods and look specifically for cars that are 20-30 years old and haven’t been used in a while (have some vegetation growth around them).

After monitoring the activity in the area, scammers come the next day, dressed in coveralls and – when sure the owners are not around – tow the car, using a stolen pick-up truck and a tow dolly.

If asked by neighbors, they say were sent by the owners to pick up the vehicle. Alternatively, they lie saying it’s a new government regulation that very old unused cars are object to removal from the streets, invoking pollution and “new green approaches”.

What they actually do is take the vehicles to private auto salvage yards to get them crushed, for the value of the metal – as they get paid based on the weight.

How to avoid: if you really want to keep your junk for that long without moving it, keep in the garage.