Beware of car rental scams!

Unfortunately, it happens again and again that car rental companies try to rip off their customers with unjustified damage claims. But don’t worry, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. document the condition of the car on collection

When you pick up your rental car, take the time to carefully document the condition of the vehicle. Take photos or videos of all sides of the car, including the interior, and pay particular attention to any pre-existing damage such as scratches, dents or dings. Make sure your photos include a time stamp. These photos not only serve to record the condition of the car when you take it over, but can also be used as evidence if a dispute arises later about any damage.

2. contradict the incorrect invoice

If you later receive an invoice from the car rental company charging you for damage, first check the photos or videos you took when you picked up the car. Compare the documented condition of the car with the claimed damage on the invoice. If you find that the alleged damage was already present when you picked up the vehicle, object to the invoice immediately. Send the photos or videos to the car rental company as proof of your argument. In this case, for example, you can submit your objection by email. However, you should make sure that you receive an automatic confirmation after sending your email. This is your proof of receipt of the email. If this is not the case, you should also send a registered letter to the car rental company.

3. inform your credit card company

You should also inform your credit card company at the same time as you submit your objection to the car rental company. Explain the situation to them and enclose a copy of your objection and the photos or videos. Many credit card companies offer protection against fraudulent charges and can review or even block the transaction in question until the matter has been clarified.

By following these steps, you can defend yourself against unjustified claims from the car rental company and make sure you don’t get ripped off. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it to protect your rights and keep your hard-earned money.