Is your rental car deal too good to be true?
- Kim Thompson: Better Business Bureau
- June 16, 2021
- 847
A rental-car shortage is causing prices to skyrocket, and scammers have found a clever way to cash in. BBB Scam Tracker is receiving reports of con artists impersonating rental-car company representatives. They claim to be able to get you a deal on your rental, but it’s really a way to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for a car that doesn’t exist.
You search for a rental-car company online and dial the phone number that appears at the top of the results. A “customer service representative” answers and explains you are in luck. The company is offering a special promotion. If you pay for your rental up front using a gift card or prepaid debit card, you can get a significant discount.
It seems odd, but the representative insists the “deal” is a partnership with the gift or prepaid debit card provider. You purchase the cards and share the PIN with the representative. In several reports the scammer insists the money didn’t transfer, and you need to purchase another card. But no matter how many cards you buy, the outcome will be the same. The “special offer” is a scam, and the rental car doesn’t even exist.
Never make payments with prepaid debit cards or gift cards. Scammers prefer these payment methods because there is nothing you can do to get your money back. Remember, legitimate companies almost always accept credit cards as the primary means of payment.
Use the contact information listed directly on the business' website, instead of relying on an internet search for customer-support phone numbers. If you do utilize the internet, always double check the URL.
Beware of sponsored links. Fake websites sometimes pop up in your web browser’s sponsored ad section and appear at the top of the search results. Be careful when clicking. Hover over the URL to be sure it's the right one.
When in doubt, verify special deals directly with the company. If you are unsure about a promotional offer, get the customer-service number from the company’s official website. Call the company directly to make sure the deal is real.
Booking a vacation? Learn more about other travel cons at www.BBB.org/TravelScam. Also, watch out for scammers posting fake customer-support numbers online by reading more at www.bbb.org/article/scams/18132-scam-alert-need-help-be-careful-which-number-you-call.
If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to www.BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. Find more information about scams and how to avoid them at www.BBB.org/AvoidScams.
Visit www.bbb.org/canton or call 330-454-9401 to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, read tips, find events, follow on social media and more.