NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A person Lowcountry lawmaker reported he was just one of a variety of men and women who have been just lately victims of a automobile rental scam.
South Carolina Point out Agent Wendell Gilliard claimed auto rental organization Avis sent him a significant maintenance invoice for damages to a rental automobile he says weren’t there when he returned the motor vehicle to the Charleston Intercontinental Airport.
The invoice totaled more than $20,000 in damages. Rep. Gilliard claims he been given the invoice weeks later in March regardless of returning the car or truck it in mint situation
“Took the motor vehicle back no challenge, acquired my receipt, it was a couple of hundred pounds,” mentioned Rep. Gilliard.
Gilliard rented a Lincoln MKZ by Avis for two times and returned it on January 27th. Weeks afterwards, he was sent a monthly bill by the enterprise alleging thousands in hurt. Gilliard explained his accountant termed him suitable away.
“She calls me back again and says hey are you sitting down? I explained very well why what is erroneous now? She suggests it’s not twenty-a person hundred pounds, it is twenty-1 thousand bucks,” states Representative Gilliard. “I stated you have acquired to be out of your brain, you’re kidding me.”
Consultant Gilliard wasn’t by yourself, he suggests he’s heard from at least 7 many others who gained very similar letters from Avis alleging important injury to a auto they rented and returned at the Charleston Intercontinental Airport. Amid individuals with related encounters was Whitney Borreson who returned a car or truck three days before Agent Gilliard.
“No harm whatsoever to it, every thing was fine,” suggests Borreson. “I remaining it there at the airport like I should’ve. It is like nicely this is preposterous, I did not result in any harm to this motor vehicle.”
Borreson was charged nearly $3,000, she suggests she complained and the prices had been later on dropped. Agent Gilliard questioned the airport to open an investigation into the rates. From it, authorities uncovered practically a dozen cars and trucks that experienced been taken by Avis personnel and utilized for own causes.
“It was some staff members immediately after a consumer like myself had dropped the automobile off, they would get in the cargo get together and whichever,” suggests Representative Gilliard.
Representative Gilliard suggests he’s continue to fighting the $21,000 charge and designs to draft state legislation to secure renters. He has also contacted the Greater Organization Bureau and asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to open an investigation.
“This thing is even larger than what it seems like on the area and we’re likely to get to the base of it,” states Consultant Gilliard.
Consultant Gilliard is hopeful he can solve the situation with Avis’s company business to keep away from filing a lawsuit in court but says he will if essential to recover the costs. Consultant Gilliard claims at least seven other folks have arrived at out stating they experienced identical ordeals.
Information 2 achieved out to Avis about the allegations, a company representative despatched us the next statement: “Avis Spending plan Group has contacted the buyers impacted by this issue to resolve the situation.”