Beware of tow truck scams

If this slippery winter weather has you sliding off the road, beware of potential tow truck scams.

You should know, the going rate to pull your vehicle out of a ditch in Central Indiana is roughly $75. You should not have to pay a surcharge because it's cold.

Experts advise getting a cost estimate before you agree to have a company send a driver. If you've got a camera on your cell phone, take a photo of your car so you have a record of what the slide-off looked like.

Watch out for tow truck drivers that show up unannounced. There's an easy way to make sure the company is legitimate:

"On the side of their vehicle, you're going to see their DOT number. That's gonna tell you that they're certified and licensed. And so if anything goes wrong, more than it already has, you're going to be protected. Your car, if it's harmed, will be fixed and you'll be in good shape there," says Cheryl Reed with Angie's List.

Also, when you sign off on the job, make sure you're signature is right below the amount you're going to be charged so that additional charges can't be added in. Also, always get a copy of the receipt.