Meanwhile, the number of licensed tow trucks has fallen from 995 in 2021 to 764 today.
A years-long investigation into New York City’s unlicensed towing industry revealed for the first time the scope of the problem: the illegal fleet now outnumbers the licensed industry.
STORIES IN THIS SERIES
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Queens body shop owner uses illegal tow truck scheme to flaunt wealthy ‘f——ing life’
May 2026↗QUEENS BODY SHOP TOW SCHEME — WNYC / GOTHAMISTNYC NOW · MAY 20260:00“If you’re tired of being broke, watching TV, watching us in these trucks, watching where we are, hit us up and we’ll get you there,” David Borukhov told his 45,000 followers on Instagram as he hopped out of an unlicensed tow truck.
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Close loophole for illegal tow trucks on NYC streets, councilmember says
New York City lawmakers want to regulate the city’s unlicensed towing industry after a Gothamist investigation found that hundreds of illegal tow trucks are operating across the five boroughs.
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NYC puts tow truck operators on notice following Gothamist investigation
New York City consumer protection officials are putting hundreds of tow truck companies on notice, warning they’ll swiftly revoke licenses from operators that rip off drivers.
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Ghost fleet: How New York City lost control of the tow truck industry
February 2026↗GHOST FLEET — WNYC / GOTHAMISTTHE BRIAN LEHRER SHOW · FEBRUARY 20260:00↗SPECIAL INVESTIGATION — WNYC / GOTHAMISTNYC NOW · FEBRUARY 20260:00A Gothamist analysis of speeding and red light camera data reveals the number of unlicensed tow trucks in the city has increased from 54 in 2021 to at least 712 today. Meanwhile, the number of licensed tow trucks has fallen from 995 in 2021 to 764 today.
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Bronx tow truck owner who ordered a fatal drive-by amid turf war faces life in prison
The operator of a Bronx auto body shop who swindled customers and insurance companies faces life in prison after pleading guilty to ordering a drive-by shooting targeting a rival tow truck company.
