Rental car lost (by company)

[Anonymous]

Has anyone else had this happen before? Returned my rental car a few days ago but realized they are continuously charging me for it. Called them and they say they have no record of me returning it. (No I did not get a receipt and that was clearly a mistake.) they can’t find the car on their lot. Further, the car that is on my record is not the one I actually had/drove.

They are now “investigating” but I’ve spent hours on the phone trying to sort this out but any advice is welcome. Not sure how I am supposed to resolve if they can’t find the car. I’m 100% sure I returned it!

[Anonymous]

Call your credit card company immediately and dispute the charges.

[Anonymous]

Dud you actually deal with a person when you returned the car? Do you have any paperwork from when you got the car?

[Anonymous]

Op here. Called the cc company but apparently you can’t dispute cc charges that are still pending. (I’ll definitely be on top of that though!)

I dealt with a person when I returned the car and handed the keys over to them but didn’t get any physical evidence that I returned it. I did not keep the paperwork from when I picked it up. (Again, a good lesson learned for next time!)

[Anonymous]

Immediately file a police report for theft. Get the cops to pull all surveillance tapes.

[Anonymous]

Was the person actually working there? Did they read the odometer and check out the car? Before you leave the lot you should have received an email from them closing out your charges.

I say this as someone who handed her keys to the “valet” at a very expensive restaurant in DC and never saw her car again.

[Anonymous]

Most rental car lots are crazy secure with tire blowout guards were you in that lot.

A lot don’t give paper rentals but instead email you.

Was it a one way rental?

[Anonymous]

Everything should be on tape. Like a PP said, get the police involved.

[Anonymous]

Did you return at what seemed to you to be an approved location, with an employee wearing the logo shirt, etc... ?

[Anonymous]

op here. Yes, it was a one way rental which makes things a bit more complicated. I definitely left it in the correct spot as I have dropped off at this location many times. (It’s a very small regional airport; they do not check car as you leave the lot.) the person who took keys/car presumably worked there.

I’ll definitely consider getting police involved if company can’t locate car / resolve this in next couple of days...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here. Yes, it was a one way rental which makes things a bit more complicated. I definitely left it in the correct spot as I have dropped off at this location many times. (It’s a very small regional airport; they do not check car as you leave the lot.) the person who took keys/car presumably worked there.

I’ll definitely consider getting police involved if company can’t locate car / resolve this in next couple of days...

It's already been a few days as you say in your original post, OP. I wouldn't wait any longer to involve police. If you do wait and then the rental company contacts police before you do so (because the company might have to have a police report before it goes after you for the cost of replacement)--you'll look like you were reluctant to involve cops. And as a PP said: Cops can get surveillance tapes. Did you notice if the dropoff area had ANY cameras? The rental firm's, or the airport's--? Tell the cops that if the rental firm hasn't reported it as a theft you're reporting it and want to know why the firm has not contacted police. Say you suspect there may be a scam going on. (Whether you do or not--you want the cops to see you as an aggrieved citizen and the firm as jerks because....they are.)

It sounds like you've used this company at this exact location a lot so you're clearly a known regular with this rental firm. I'd start saying just that, often and loudly and all the way up their chain of management. No reason for you to steal or damage and ditch a car when you've rented with them repeatedly and they know who you are. Get assertive about saying they need to deal and move on here; you've alerted police so they can expect to hear from the cops any minute now; you have flagged this with the CC company etc. Language like that can help scare them off. If they persist: Tell them you've got an attorney (even if you don't--yet) and will look into harassment charges if they don't resolve this by admitting they and not you lost the car.

Yeah, this kind of crap makes me mad on your behalf. Update us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here. Yes, it was a one way rental which makes things a bit more complicated. I definitely left it in the correct spot as I have dropped off at this location many times. (It’s a very small regional airport; they do not check car as you leave the lot.) the person who took keys/car presumably worked there.

I’ll definitely consider getting police involved if company can’t locate car / resolve this in next couple of days...

Are you nuts? Or a troll?

They just accused you of stealing a car. Go to the police station right NOW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here. Yes, it was a one way rental which makes things a bit more complicated. I definitely left it in the correct spot as I have dropped off at this location many times. (It’s a very small regional airport; they do not check car as you leave the lot.) the person who took keys/car presumably worked there.

I’ll definitely consider getting police involved if company can’t locate car / resolve this in next couple of days...

I’m sure the lot has video surveillance, can you ask the. To review it? (Sorry if you already answered)

[Anonymous]

Ok good advice here — I’ll purse the police path now then! They are doing video surveillance now (allegedly). I’ll keep you updated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok good advice here — I’ll purse the police path now then! They are doing video surveillance now (allegedly). I’ll keep you updated!

Yeah, tapes usually only roll for so long before they are written over again (like every few days usually), so make sure they get on it. Good luck!