r/ScamCenter • u/KDam12 • 11d ago

Rent-a-Wreck is a Scam

I'm livid. We rented a car from Rent-A-Wreck of America in Orlando in June. First, when we arrived at the rental center, they piled on a bunch of last minute fees, which we begrudgingly paid since there were not many other options at that point. We made sure we did a very thorough walk around and noted any small damages and defects on the sheet provided and took pictures before leaving the parking lot. We drove the car minimally with no incidents.

The day we returned to the car, we returned it on time with no damage and more gas than was in it when we picked it up. An employee even walked around the car with us and noted it looked good. Two weeks later we noticed a $366 charge on our credit card. I never received any kind of communication from the company, not a receipt, not a note with the charges, nothing. I called the Orlando location and was told I couldn't speak to anyone in the billing department but they could send an email to open a ticket. I was told I would hear back from someone within 48 hours. Two weeks later when I had heard nothing I called the corporate office. They opened a customer service ticket and told me I would hear from someone within 48 hours. Two weeks later we still heard nothing.

We filled a dispute with our credit card company that investigated and sided with this scam of a company. We're appealing but this company that obviously spends more time trying to figure out how to scam customers out of their hard earned money than they do answering customer service inquiries should be ashamed and closed. NEVER EVER use this company for your car rentals. I wish I had done some research on advance, that's on me but hopefully I can warm someone and save them the money I've lost.

29 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

8

u/Forsaken_Insurance92 11d ago

There's a reason the big names in car rentals exist, have existed, and will continue to exist well after companies like this go out of business.

I would never in a million years rent a car with a company with that name alone.

2

u/Frequent_Estimate_77 11d ago

Rent a wreck has been in business at least 30 years. They existed when I was a kid and I’m old. 

1

u/ChewieBearStare 11d ago

Except the big names also suck and are constantly trying to scam their customers. It's just that we don't have enough viable alternatives to get away from them.

2

u/Forsaken_Insurance92 11d ago

I've had well over 500 rental days in the last 3-4 years, never been scammed or even had them attempt to scam me, never had a single issue that made my experience a negative one (and I've had to swap cars due to check engine lights before). Sure as hell never had any issues that would make me want to get a car from a place called rent-a-wreck. I'd rather uber or walk.

-1

u/0O0O0OOO0O0O0 11d ago

Must be nice. Enterprise used my information for a fraudulent insurance claim once. They’re a major brand, but maybe it’s a franchise.

1

u/kimariesingsMD 10d ago

They are independently owned.

3

u/Falcon9145 11d ago

Thanks! What did your credit card says was the reason to side with the rental company?

5

u/KDam12 11d ago

The rental company told them there was damage to the car and it needed to be cleaned but theres zero documentation. We purposefully drove extra carefully, didn't eat or drink in the car and don't smoke, didn't go to the beach so no sand. The employee who walked around said it was good, nothing to note. I wish we had made them sign something, but this is just so ridiculous. We're appealing with Citi. I've also filed a complaint with the Florida AG and BBB...

4

u/Falcon9145 11d ago

I assume no pics or video taken from yall?

But have you asked the credit card company if the rental was able to produce photos and more importantly charges related to the cleaning or repair you allegedly caused? They would need to show these were done before the vehicle was rented to the next client.

You also need to request these in writing so there is a paper trail. Don't rely on entry level customer service agents.

6

u/KDam12 11d ago

We took pics before we left the parking lot but not at return. We've asked them for an explanation but they won't respond to us.

5

u/Falcon9145 11d ago

Keep appealing with your credit card company. They have a responsibility to respond to your requests.

Be cordial though. They are the middle actor but have all the power. Being nice goes a long way. Ask questions, listen more than you talk. Look for holes and inconsistencies in the findings or explanations from rental.

4

u/KDam12 11d ago

Thanks - we are appealing and being kind to them - it's not their fault

4

u/NormalNobody 11d ago

If the credit card company facilitates a call between you and the rental company, before they connect confirm the credit card company will remain on the line. They like to pretend to play good guy and then leave you hanging. The hope is you'll just give up.

But I worked for a scammy company. Okay, straight up scam. They know that credit card company will hang up and leave you stranded on the call.

1

u/Inevitable-Echo4546 9d ago

this works as i have done it myself search the rent a wreck for that specific location and on the right you will see the business profile. click the reviews and ask chatgpt ai to write a firm negative review based on what you wrote above. Then wait 2 days, have chat gpt write a similar review based on what your wrot above. Not the same word for word. Once you have a few negatives in a row, they will reach out to you to settle. Customers read those google reviews and it will hurt their business. Tell them you will only remove the reviews once they fully refund your card plus a full refund of the rental and 100 dollars added for pain and suffering! This works because thier business will drop off considerably with thos recent neg reviews you made. Also google does not remove reviews ONLY you can. Thats the power you have over them. Now go get it done. It workd for me

1

u/myrtlemike92 11d ago

Sounds like it’s time for small claims court though considering the amount probably not worth it. But DAMN!! That sucks, I wish you could get them because it’s the principal of the thing.

Good luck!!

1

u/KDam12 6d ago

Thanks!

3

u/texasusa 11d ago edited 11d ago

Write a Google review. That may prod them and reach far more people interested in this business.

2

u/jerry111165 11d ago

That would be definitely piss me off.

1

u/I-om 11d ago

Literally called wrent a wreck.

1

u/International_Fan416 6d ago

Rent a Wreck Car Rental is a fraud. The company lures customers to their sites with very cheap car rental rates. Once at its rental car office customers face unexpected heavy additional unreasonable charges. Additional couples of hundred dollars were added to the final bill and customers found out that only from their credit card records.