Warning: Scammers looking to cash in on rental car shortage

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With health officials easing restrictions and warmer weather approaching, millions of Americans are ready to get back to traveling.

But many rental car companies sold off much of their fleet during the pandemic, leading to a rental car shortage and rising rates.

The Better Business Bureau says scammers are trying to cash in by offering fake deals online - in some cases for cars that don’t even exist.

People have reported losing hundreds of dollars - often because of a supposed good deal that requires the driver to get a prepaid debit card or gift card.

“Those are some really big red flags,” said Sandra Guile of the Better Business Bureau.

So here’s what you can do to make sure you don’t fall for this kind of scam.

Make sure the website is legitimate and check the company rating with the BBB.

You should also make sure the store actually exists.

“See if you can find a brick and mortar address, a street address and see if you can actually pull it up on Google maps. If you’re just seeing a parking lot, and you’re just seeing a warehouse, it means it’s probably not a legitimate business,” said Guile.

If you’re suspicious of an online deal that seems too good to be true, call the rental car company.

Talk to a person at the actual business to make sure what you found online is legitimate.

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