Officials at the California Department of Insurance are warning Southland residents of a “vehicle hostage” scam involving tow truck companies targeting motorists involved in traffic accidents.

Local officials are sounding the alarm on another scam targeting victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. This time, predatory tow-truck operators are towing fire victims' cars and then holding them for exorbitant fees.

Scammers are preying on Eaton Fire victims looking for rental homes near the fire zone in Pasadena. Doug Huberman owns Lexington Property Management in Arcadia.