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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to call police regarding airport car rental scam

43 replies

Searchingforthelight · 29/04/2025 17:44

Returned from a short break this morning. Had rental car for 3 days- 100% no incidents and returned in perfect condition. Keys left as office wasnt open until 9 - as agreed with them, on their car park.

Now email from them, sent an hour after office opened, so just after 10. Saying multiple scratches on car- front, back, sides- couldn't even be from one incident ( which didn't happen anyway!)

Saying they've estimated damage as €1650 - a very quick and precise estimate!

They've sent close up pics of car scratches, there's nothing to suggest these are the car I rented. They could be of any same coloured car.

I'm inclined not just to refuse and dispute it, but to also call local police, it seems like an absolute scam.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Original poster
Searchingforthelight · 30/04/2025 11:24

Oceanically · 30/04/2025 10:28

I think you're misdiagnosing it as a 'scam', too. Isn't it perfectly possible that, after you left the car in the carpark (presumably at an airport?) and before their office opened, that someone damaged the car, whether by scratching/keying it or whatever? This is why you take detailed photos of the car as you leave it, so that you have proof it was in good condition when it left your hands.

As other posters have said, multiple scratches, on all sides! It's outlandish. Just photos up close of scratches which could be of any car.

I have indeed cancelled the card, asked for video of the car showing the damage plus the registration plate ( as I don't think this is even the car I rented), dated

It's most certainly a scam

OP posts:
Original poster
Searchingforthelight · 30/04/2025 11:25

Plus I will leave all details of what happened on my review on TripAdvisor etc!
People need to steer clear and/or take precautions

OP posts:
Chiseltip · 30/04/2025 11:46

This is why you always pay the extra for the full insurance.

Yale video and pictures upon collection and DO NOT accept the rental unless EVERY bit of damage is listed on the paperwork prior to signing for the car. Also video the entire handover process.

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 11:50

Searchingforthelight · 30/04/2025 11:24

As other posters have said, multiple scratches, on all sides! It's outlandish. Just photos up close of scratches which could be of any car.

I have indeed cancelled the card, asked for video of the car showing the damage plus the registration plate ( as I don't think this is even the car I rented), dated

It's most certainly a scam

Show quote history

I'm not sure they're going to be able to get you video evidence. That vehicle could be anywhere right now.

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/04/2025 12:08

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 11:50

I'm not sure they're going to be able to get you video evidence. That vehicle could be anywhere right now.

Show quote history

Probably not - but if they want to prove the car is the same vehicle the OP hired, and is damaged, it's on them to supply this.

Reasonably, you'd expect them to have done this before getting the car fixed, so if they haven't it suggests the OP is correct and it is a scam.

XWKD · 30/04/2025 12:10

What hire company was it?

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 12:21

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/04/2025 12:08

Probably not - but if they want to prove the car is the same vehicle the OP hired, and is damaged, it's on them to supply this.

Reasonably, you'd expect them to have done this before getting the car fixed, so if they haven't it suggests the OP is correct and it is a scam.

Show quote history

Unless it's in the contract that they'll supply video evidence, they won't have an obligation to do this. It's also too late to record the condition of the vehicle because it'll likely be on rent or even at another rental station entirely.

It's also very likely that they won't have got the vehicle fixed. The damage charge will be to cover the cost of the devaluation, not repairs. They'll just mark this up as pre-existing damage and send it off on rent again. Cosmetic damage doesn't generally get repaired on rental vehicles.

Radiatorvalves · 30/04/2025 12:36

Chiseltip · 30/04/2025 11:46

This is why you always pay the extra for the full insurance.

Yale video and pictures upon collection and DO NOT accept the rental unless EVERY bit of damage is listed on the paperwork prior to signing for the car. Also video the entire handover process.

No!! That in itself is a massive scam which massively inflates the cost of hire cars. Use something like Insurance4carhirehire - my last annual policy (couple of years ago) was about £70 for 2 of us. Likely a lot cheaper than what the scammers charge.

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 12:39

Radiatorvalves · 30/04/2025 12:36

No!! That in itself is a massive scam which massively inflates the cost of hire cars. Use something like Insurance4carhirehire - my last annual policy (couple of years ago) was about £70 for 2 of us. Likely a lot cheaper than what the scammers charge.

Show quote history

You've also got to watch out if they don't reduce the excess to zero. There's no point having it reduced to a few hundred because most damage charges are under that amount anyway.

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/04/2025 12:47

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 12:21

Unless it's in the contract that they'll supply video evidence, they won't have an obligation to do this. It's also too late to record the condition of the vehicle because it'll likely be on rent or even at another rental station entirely.

It's also very likely that they won't have got the vehicle fixed. The damage charge will be to cover the cost of the devaluation, not repairs. They'll just mark this up as pre-existing damage and send it off on rent again. Cosmetic damage doesn't generally get repaired on rental vehicles.

Show quote history

No legal obligation, no.

But lets imagine its gone to small claims court.

Judge: Mr Car Hire Company, do you have proof that the damage in these photos is in fact damage to the car the OP hired, say via photos showing the registration number or unedited video showing the registration number.

Car Hire Company: No we do not.

Judge: So this could in fact be any red car of x model/make - of which you have 16.

Car Hire Company: Yes.

Judge: As you cannot prove the damage is to the car the OP hired, and we find the claim that the OP damaged every panel on the vehicle beyond the realms of probability, you have no claim. Piss off.

The car hire company is making the claim against the OP. Whilst it would be beneficial to the OP if they can prove without doubt that on return, the car was not damaged, it is the claimants responsibility to prove their case. If they cannot do so, well.. standing on no legs innit!

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 13:03

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/04/2025 12:47

No legal obligation, no.

But lets imagine its gone to small claims court.

Judge: Mr Car Hire Company, do you have proof that the damage in these photos is in fact damage to the car the OP hired, say via photos showing the registration number or unedited video showing the registration number.

Car Hire Company: No we do not.

Judge: So this could in fact be any red car of x model/make - of which you have 16.

Car Hire Company: Yes.

Judge: As you cannot prove the damage is to the car the OP hired, and we find the claim that the OP damaged every panel on the vehicle beyond the realms of probability, you have no claim. Piss off.

The car hire company is making the claim against the OP. Whilst it would be beneficial to the OP if they can prove without doubt that on return, the car was not damaged, it is the claimants responsibility to prove their case. If they cannot do so, well.. standing on no legs innit!

Show quote history

OP rented this vehicle in Ireland so she won't be able to take it to small claims court - not in the UK at least.

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/04/2025 13:10

OP wouldn't anyway...

If the hire firm want to pursue her, it's they who need to take OP to court.

They will ask what proof the car hire company have - the car hire company can't supply reasonable proof, end of case.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 30/04/2025 13:11

Just to mention the car hire cover option's also available as an add-on with many travel insurance policies ... and, as a PP said, for vastly less than hire companies charge

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 13:26

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/04/2025 13:10

OP wouldn't anyway...

If the hire firm want to pursue her, it's they who need to take OP to court.

They will ask what proof the car hire company have - the car hire company can't supply reasonable proof, end of case.

It's not as simple as that, but I understand your point.

LIZS · 30/04/2025 13:51

Can you raise a dispute via your cc company?

Original poster
Searchingforthelight · 30/04/2025 13:54

Thronglet · 30/04/2025 11:50

I'm not sure they're going to be able to get you video evidence. That vehicle could be anywhere right now.

Show quote history

Up to them!
But they've just send close up pictures of a damaged vehicle

Nothing to be evidence it was the one I rented

Because it wasnt

OP posts:
Chiseltip · 30/04/2025 16:29

Radiatorvalves · 30/04/2025 12:36

No!! That in itself is a massive scam which massively inflates the cost of hire cars. Use something like Insurance4carhirehire - my last annual policy (couple of years ago) was about £70 for 2 of us. Likely a lot cheaper than what the scammers charge.

Show quote history

Yes, but you'll have to pay the hire company first then claim back the cost from the insurer who may refuse.

At least with the extra insurance you have nothing to pay.

HollidayRanger · 30/04/2025 16:31

Compare them to the photos you took when you returned it. Please say you did take photos?

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