Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Car Rental Firm Admits Charging Multiple Customers for Broken Windshields

The Phoenix, Ariz. company is assessed a $100,000 fine after admitting that it sometimes charged renters but did not replace the glass when a vehicle's windshield was chipped.

by Staff
July 8, 2009
2 min to read


A Phoenix, Ariz. car-rental company has admitted that it defrauded customers by charging them to repair broken windshields, and then did not replace the glass, according to court documents. The company would later rent the vehicles to new consumers without advising them about the pre-existing chips.

Phoenix-based PCR Venture, which operates the Payless Car Rental operation at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, signed a consent decree with the state attorney general’s office, admitting that it would then charge the repairs to the new renters, even after the company knew the damage occurred earlier and repair costs had been assessed against the earlier renters.

Ad Loading...

The attorney general’s office found more than 80 customers who were charged for damages they did not cause. The company also admitted it charged the customers for the time the vehicle was out of service for repair.

D.V. Auto Center in Phoenix completed the windshield replacement work. The attorney general’s office says that the rental company altered D.V.’s invoices by changing dates, vehicle identification numbers, and repair invoice numbers to commit consumer fraud.

In instances where PCR did not even do the work of repairing the windshields, PCR collected or attempted to collect money from the renter who was in possession of the vehicle at the time the windshield was damaged, and from subsequent renters who had no responsibility for the windshield damage, according to the consent decree.

Through the consent decree, Payless must reimburse all customers for any charges billed, including repair, loss of use of the vehicle, and any administrative fees, unless the company can prove that the damage to the windshield was done during the time that particular renter actually had possession of the vehicle. Payless also agreed not to engage in these practices in the future, according to court documents.

More Rental Operations

display of Turo's FSD homepage
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 28, 2026

Turo and Tesla Take the Next Step Toward Autonomous Car Rentals

The partnership brings Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology into the rental experience, offering a glimpse of how increasingly automated vehicles could change car rental.

Read More →
Two identical rental cars, two different prices
Rental Operations•Cover Story•October 26, 2026

How Rental Operators Can Navigate Personalized Pricing Rules

As regulators scrutinize the use of customer data in pricing, rental operators need to know whether they can explain why one renter pays more than another.

Read More →
a laptop shows different connectivity paths for car rental supply
Rental Operations•October 23, 2026

Direct, Broker or Hybrid? How Travel Retailers Source Rental Cars

As travel retailers weigh direct supplier relationships against third-party distribution, rental operators need to understand how those decisions affect their business.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
thumbnail of title and photo of Joel Price and Chris Brown
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 20, 2026

How Did This Independent Rental Operator Grow to 170 Vehicles in 4 Years?

With 170 vehicles across three Kentucky locations, Joel Price relies on an overseas team to handle reservations, payments, and after-hours customer service. It's one part of an unconventional approach to growing an independent rental operation.

Read More →
thumbnail what does it take to succeed in b2b rentals
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 12, 2026

What Does It Take to Succeed in B2B Rentals?

The fundamentals may be familiar to daily car rental operators, but project-based truck rentals put different demands on the fleet and the business.

Read More →
Photo of Ana Laborde and world map
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 12, 2026

NPR Builds on International Partnerships to Grow Rental Bookings

With Ana Laborde supporting broker development, NPR Auto Group is tailoring distribution strategies, rate packages, and partnerships to grow international reservations across its three brands.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rental car agent shows woman her choice of rental car
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 7, 2026

Advantage, Sixt Place Among Top Five in Annual Satisfaction Study

While Enterprise and National retain the top spots in JD Power’s 2026 rankings, the latest customer satisfaction results suggest renters can find competitive service beyond the biggest car rental names.

Read More →
an exotic car wrapped in an insurance policy
Rental Operations•October 1, 2026

The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals

Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.

Read More →
globe of world and drivers license from UK
Rental Operations•September 28, 2026

The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?

For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Scenes from Car Rental Shows past
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 23, 2026

ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers

The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.

Read More →
Ad Loading...