New Jersey Rental Agency Fined $80K for Violating Consumer Fraud Act

Drivo Rent-A-Car, which operates locations at Newark and John F. Kennedy airports, has agreed to pay $80,000 in fines to resolve consumer complaints, Patch New Jersey reports.

Prosecutors allege the discount car rental company engaged in "shady tactics" to rip off customers. The accusations include:

• inaccurately disclosing all charges a consumer would have to pay if a rental vehicle was damaged
• altering vehicle inspection records to falsely imply customers acknowledged damage to rental vehicles
• falsifying accident or incident reports
• billing mulitple consumers for the same damage to the same rental vehicle
• failing to disclose existing damage on a rental vehicle
• posting misleading online advertisements
• failing to honor rental rates agreed upon through online reservations

The rental agency has also agreed to change its policies and practices, including:

• not posting misleading advertisements
• maintaining uniform policies for the sale of rental vehicle insurance and additional merchandise
• accurately disclosing all charges a consumer will be required to pay if a rental vehicle is damaged
• reporting all pre-existing damage to consumers for acknowledgement and signature at check-out
• ensuring customers have the opportunity to inspect their rental vehicle prior to their departure
• notifying consumers in writing of any identified damage to the rental vehicle that occurred during the rental period
• providing additional training to managers and employees on the check-out and check-in procedures of rental vehicles, as well as the sale of related services or products