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