The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that vacation season is approaching, and scammers are taking advantage of an unusual development. During the pandemic, rental car companies sold off significant portions of their fleets as the demand dropped for their cars. Those companies’ efforts to buy more cars are being slowed by the shortage of computer chips. Scammers, ever watchful for such opportunities, are inserting themselves into the equation. It all adds up to potential trouble for rental car customers. 

Americans are ready to travel again but fleet shortages mean higher prices (not to mention the rise in gas prices) and more frustrations. Enter the scammers. It works like this: An online search for rental car companies results in your calling the top search result. A “customer service representative” answers your call and just happens to have a special promotion for you. All you have to do is pay your rental fee up front using a prepaid debit or gift card and you get a huge discount from the large fees now being charged.

They claim that the “deal” is a partnership with the debit card or gift card company, making the odd payment request sound legitimate. You buy the cards and share the PIN with the representative. Sometimes they claim the money didn’t transfer and you need to purchase yet another card. Since the entire scheme is a scam, no rental car ever becomes available, and you have lost all of the money you turned over to the crook.

How to guard yourself from such scams

Here is BBB’s advice to help you steer clear of rental card scams:

• Never make payments with prepaid debit cards or gift cards. A request that you do so should be a giant red flag that a scammer is trying to steal your money. Don’t believe their claims that it’s a special promotion. Legitimate companies always accept credit cards as payment, and you are always safer using one in case disputes arise.

• Be sure you are on a business’s real website, then look for their customer support phone number while there. Don’t trust the first search results you get online.

• Fake websites are easy for crooks to set up. Verify that the company is legitimate and has a positive marketplace history by visiting bbb.org.

• Check separately with the company if you are told they are offering a special deal by getting their customer service number (from their official site) and calling it.

• Remember that rental car locations near airports are less likely to have cars available. Look for their locations elsewhere in the city or town.

• Use discounts that may be available to you such as through AAA, AARP, Costco and your credit card companies.

• Check into package deals when booking a flight that also include the rental car. Do it as early as possible.

Predictions are that the rental car shortage will last well into the summer. Don’t fall for a scammer’s crooked deal in your frustration. If you have questions or concerns about renting a car that are not covered above, contact the BBB by calling 800-856-2417 or at bbb.org.